1. When you see a manga for the first time, what interests you the most?
A good deal many things, but alot of times what can catch my eye is the artwork (and also sometimes the title). Artwork or title causes me to pick up the manga and read the synopsis, and the synopsis is usually the determining factor if I decide to give it a go. So overall, the plotline. But mangaka can influence it, too! (Oh my gosh, if it is by CLAMP, I will highly consider reading it if there's no shounen-ai! Also if it's works by Hiromu Aarakawa, Ki Hiwatari, Inkhana, and Marshmellow Muffin! I'll practically read anything from them, but with CLAMP, I read with caution even though I am a huge fan!)
2. What genre(s) do you like to read most? Pick up to four.
Action, Comedy, Horror, Fantasy.
2.5: Which demographic do you most read? (Thanks for the correction, Atria.
![:D Smile :D](./images/smilies/col-d_smile.png)
)
According to my manga collection and fave webcomics, apparently shoujo ^.^ Ooh...but I also love shounen so much, I need to find MORE to read that isn't a billion volumes long!! XD!!!
3. What do you NOT like in a manga?
High levels of sexual content and harsh cussing, as well as offensive religious material.
4. List your top 3 manga recommendations.
Oh man, this is hard! Only 3??? Well then...
Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles
Fullmetal Alchemist
The World Stops!
These have got to be my ultimate favorite manga series of all time!! Most of you probably haven't heard of the last one, due to it being a webmanga/self-published work, but it's brilliant nevertheless!
5. Manga to avoid?
Anything yaoi, like most of the webmanga at SmackJeeves >.<
6. What are your favorite character archetypes? Separate into male and female if you wish.
I'm not sure if I have any favorites. When it comes to guys, my favorite characters tend to be the one who thinks he's so awesome (kind of like Roy from FMA and Kai from Game Plan!). I like designing guys who think that way, too, 'cause you can create all kinds of comic relief scenarios with them! I also like nice, heroic guys, who would boldly risk their life for someone they love or a cause they believe in. As far as girls....I like the sweet, kind, cute girls (preferrably not ditsy, though), as well as the tough, kick-butt girls (like Riza Hawkeye!!)
7. What are you favorite cliches?
Cliche, hmm?? Seeing cherryblossoms! I'm not sure if that is cliche or not, but I see it often! Especially the cherryblossom trees! I never get sick of cherryblossoms, they're so cool and beautiful!!!
8. What character archetype do you hate most?
I guess it really irritates me when a girl is rather....stupid and clueless. I have no idea why, but this really bothers me. Sometimes some denseness is cute (like Sawako Kuronuma, but with her it's a little more understandable) but most of the time it really REALLY drive me crazy! And with guys....I hate perverts. It's just...ick.
9. What cliche do you hate most?
Love triangles. Especially when it takes forever to resolve, or never gets resolved. And when I say love triangle, I'm talking about the girl who is figuring out which of the two guys she likes best. Triangles that involve unrequited love or someone oblivious to the fact that they are liked is different, but I just hate the one girl two guys triangle! Especially poorly handled ones. I hate having to choose which match up I like better, I just wanna root for the already established couple!
10. For a manga created by Christians, how "Christian-y" would you think it will be? How much would you like it to be?
It all depends on what kind of story they're trying to tell. If it's in the fantasy realm, it's best to be symbolic, promoting good morals and the existance of a higher power. I like this in other genres, too. But in more realistic kind of stories, I like seeing God obviously present. Christian manga is a hard thing to create, and must be dealt with carefully, but honestly, I do love seeing someone who proclaims to be a Christian, but shows they go through struggles and are human. They are not perfect, which is why we need Christ to help us overcome. And also, I love stories that are the typical good vs. evil, 'cause whether obvious or not, God is present.
11. What do you think about cussing, especially in a Christian manga?
I hate harsh cussing. The common "d" and "h" do not bother me at all, really, not even "bast--d", but everything else....it makes me cringe! As far as Christian manga, it may be needed for realistic effect. But it should not be overboard, and the cussing should only be used when appropriate and kept fairly light.
12. In your opinion, what separates the bad manga, the okay, the good, and the great?
The story, whether it's been overdone or a new concept. Whether it is complex or simple, and how it is executed. And also, the content. Too much bad content just ruins it for me, and it registers as "bad manga". I like a story with loveable characters you can really get attached to, overcoming obstacles whether large or small, something epic going on....well, it all depends on the story, but I think characters is a big part of whether it's good or not. If you can't feel anything for them, it's not a good story.
13. From 1 to 10, how important is…
a.) Plot/Story - 9
b.) Art - 7
c.) Message/Point of the story - 10
14. Do you prefer work that most closely resembles a genuine Japanese manga, or do you prefer work that is more distinguishable (less anime/manga style)?
I really love unique, distinctive manga-styles, where I know "hey, that is drawn by..." such as CLAMP, Hiromu Arakawa, Inkhana, Marshmellow Muffin, and Ruel Smith. Yes, I do like manga that looks genuine Japanese manga, but no one draws the same, and manga-style varies depending on the mangaka.
15. Would you rather the mangaka publishes the story page by page is it's completed, or the whole chapter at once? (I've noticed some online artists do this.)
I like page by page, since it's less of a wait. Thogu chahpter by chapter gives a nice big update to read!
16. Would you prefer to download your manga, or do you prefer it to be readable on-screen without downloading?
I like it to be read on screen with no need of download. But most of all...PUBLISHED ON PAPER! Nothing beats manga in print!
17. What Christian manga have you read?
Game Plan!, Heaven Bound, Steelblood, Who I Am, Deathbed, Shelter Of Wings, and Manga Messiah. As far as ongoing; The Messenger, Advocate Voice, Leap Of Faith, and Work In Progress.
18. If you could read any manga story in the world, what would the story be about?
An openly Christian manga that isn't too preachy, where you can tell the mangaka was inspired by God. Something that even an unbeliever might give it a shot to read. Something that makes you stop and think, that makes you consider, that brings hope and light.
19. Finally, what makes you enjoy manga? In other words, why do you love it/Like it/ Hate it?
The fact that it's beautiful and lush, despite being in black and white. In fact, that's what gives it that mystical feel. How imagitive it can get, the loveable characters, that it can be about anything, etc, etc.! There's just something so special in the story execution and character development, as well as artwork that makes it so wonderful!