Why not call the manga novels Light novels?

[PeNCILz]

I was browsing manga-ka on wikipedia when I came across this-

A light novel (??????; raito noberu) is a novel with manga style illustrations, primarily targeting teens. The term "light novel" is a wasei-eigo, or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language.
Unlike picture books for younger children, light novels contain more text like a novel. A light novel story may later be made into a manga or a TV anime series. Light novels are usually serialized in literary magazines. An example of the light novel would be the Slayers novels written by Hajime Kanzaka. Slayers was made into a manga series as well as a very popular anime of the same name, starring Megumi Hayashibara.

Why doesn't Tokyopop call their manga novels light novels?

[Mocchi]

i don't think it would ketch on:p

[Blu_Moon]

Because the penguins don't let us.

*sad*

[Klawzie]

Glazed - they're talking about different things, I think. The Slayers manga novels are different from the Slayers manga books.

[Kyaa the Catlord]

This has been asked before and the answer was basically that "Manga Novels" is more of an imprint than a description. If you don't know what an imprint is Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imprint) is your friend.

Which reminds me. (edits)

[SuNFLoWeR]

My guess would be that it's possibly because light novels in Japan are different from light novels here? A light novel in English gives the connotation of something that is not worth reading by adults, and so would not only be inaccurate, but also be offensive to both the writers and readers who enjoy the books. The only impact I can see this having on marketing would be a negative one, so from the publisher's standpoint I'd think there is really no reason for them to do it, and every reason not to.

If it were a term that English readers were not used to it might be different, but light, or "lite" in our society just doesn't lend itself to use here. IMO.

[Blu_Moon]

A light novel in English gives the connotation of something that is not worth reading by adults, and so would not only be inaccurate, but also be offensive to both the writers and readers who enjoy the books. The only impact I can see this having on marketing would be a negative one, so from the publisher's standpoint I'd think there is really no reason for them to do it, and every reason not to.

If it were a term that English readers were not used to it might be different, but light, or "lite" in our society just doesn't lend itself to use here. IMO.


That's exactly what the penguins said. And sure, they might only have one eye each, and they all limp slightly to the left, and sometimes mutter things like "argh, avast!" for no discernable reason, but they're usually right. And we editors have long since learned to be wary of perturbed penguiny wrath.^_^

[Kyaa the Catlord]

Are they busty lesbian pirate penguins? Inquiring minds, ya know.

[Aratos]

Certainly sound like pirate penguins anyway.

[Blu_Moon]

Are they busty lesbian pirate penguins? Inquiring minds, ya know.

There's a don't ask, don't tell policy in effect. Of course, we still ask, but all we get is "argh, avast!" and while that's not a yes, it's not a denial, either. ~_^

[PeterAhlstrom]

Light Novels are smaller versions of Graphic Novels, which are a larger format that traditional manga, and usually do not contain nearly as many pages. A manga, say, Trigun maximum Volume 1, contains several chapters of story, while a light novel has the equivalent of a quarter to a half of a manga chapter. If a light novel is succesfull, it may be turned into a longer running Manga series, with a different or extended story line.

So basically, TP dosn't just call them Light Novels, because they aren't, they are mangas.
Yeah, I don't know what you're talking about. Light Novels are NOT smaller versions of graphic novels. They are NOVELS (though, often just barely, as to be a novel the length must be over 40,000 words, and Light Novels are short).

And pilot oneshot manga, which are, if successful, turned into longer-running manga series, are usually 40-60 pages, 2-3 times larger than a chapter, not a quarter to a half the size.

[Klawzie]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/klawzie/arghavast.jpg

:rolleyes:

[PeNCILz]

LOL^

I wonder if the penguins could be the editors bosses... LOL

[Blu_Moon]

LOL^

I wonder if the penguins could be the editors bosses... LOL

No, our bosses are our bosses. The penguins are the penguins. Mostly, they are our evil tuxedo-wearing army wot does our evil bidding (as we prepare to take over the world) but sometimes they get high handed about certain things, and you know, good dictators keep their minions happy. Our bosses, to date, have never been one-eyed, left-limping acquatic flightless birds from the southern hemisphere (that we know of. They could be hiding something.)

*stares at bosses*

[Blu_Moon]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/klawzie/arghavast.jpg

:rolleyes:

You made my whole day! ^__^

[GlazedDonuts]

Edited, I was thinking of the wrong thing, I also read Graphic Novels, wich are like thicker comics, so when you said Manga Novels, I was thinking of normal manga. All has been clarified for me.

[Kyaa the Catlord]

No, our bosses are our bosses. The penguins are the penguins. Mostly, they are our evil tuxedo-wearing army wot does our evil bidding (as we prepare to take over the world) but sometimes they get high handed about certain things, and you know, good dictators keep their minions happy. Our bosses, to date, have never been one-eyed, left-limping acquatic flightless birds from the southern hemisphere (that we know of. They could be hiding something.)

*stares at bosses*

I knew they were attempting to take over the world! I just KNEW! :D

[Klawzie]

You made my whole day! ^__^

Argh! n_n