When (if ever) do you think that manga will make the mainstream in the UK?

[evilmingdoctor]

From my singular visit to the States and other information it's fairly clear to see the anime/manga is a fairly mainstream thing in American - maybe not fully but fairly so - for those from the UK or anyone else who'd like to comment on this issue, how long do u think it'll take for manga/anime to be a mainstream part of British culture (if ever)?

[GracieLizzy]

I doubt it'll ever be mainstream in the way that soap operas like Eastenders, and Coronation Street (yuk), or reality TV shows like Big Brother or I'm a "Celebrity" ::cough::Nobody::cough:: Get me Out of Here (double yuk) are but it is becoming more common what with TokyoPop, Dark Horse and now Gollancz* publishing manga over hear and it being sold in regular bookshops like Ottakar's (http://www.ottakars.co.uk/Internet/home/welcome.jsp) and Waterstones (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/655876/202-9351432-0162218) and not just Comic shops, and the anime sections in HMV (http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/home.do) etc. expanding all the time, and NEO magazine (http://www.neomag.co.uk/) being published I think we're slowly entering a golden age of anime and manga in the UK!

Now if we can only get the shops to stop calling anime "manga" and hope that the tabloid press doesn't attack anime again thinking it's all hentai and that it's trying to peddle porn to kids (newsflash: not all cartoons are for kids!).

*Gollacnz is the name of Orion Publishing's (http://www.orionbooks.co.uk/), which they source from Viz... the books are exactly the same they just have a Gollancz logo instead of a Viz one and have the price in pounds on the back. It's not called Viz probably because in the UK Viz Comics (http://www.viz.co.uk/) have that name.

[Perdition City]

I don't think it will ever totally reach mainstream, and hope it never does. The more mainstream it gets, the more crap will be churned out (mainly western anime copies or something) It could do with getting a little bit more popularity here though to make it easier to pick up quality anime and manga on the highstreet. There are small but fairly good sections for manga in Waterstones, and for anime dvd's there is HMV... there is also that magazine "Neomag" - i've not read it yet, but it's probably cool :P

Anyways, japanese culture is already having a bit of an impact on young kids here what with all the pokemon and digimon stuff, and all the japanese videogames.

[evilmingdoctor]

We'll just have to wait and see though; though sometimes when something is undiscovered u want to share it with other people - then again when it is in the mainstream it sort of loses its edge a bit. A bit like Donnie Darko I s'pose, u watched it mentioned it to people and they'd take little notice - then all of a sudden it's everywhere and being sold for peanuts; i think it was even been given away free in the guardian too :P

[Perdition City]

I know that feeling exactly :p you know something thats so great, that you want everyone to know about it, but when everyone does know about it, it's like they don't understand it or appreciate it as much as you do, which is frustrating haha

[SakuraRay]

We sometimes can't get pieces due to publishing rights in countries too. There was a big hoo-ha about that a couple of years ago about companies not actually having the correct publishing rights to release in the UK, and half the time, we miss out if it doesn't take off on a large scale in countires such as America.

We can live in hope >^^<!

[Perdition City]

We can live in hope >^^<!

We can indeed :p

[SakuraRay]

We have to for the moment, as we have no other choice, sadly...:: cries::

[GracieLizzy]

There was a big hoo-ha about that a couple of years ago about companies not actually having the correct publishing rights to release in the UK

If I remember rightly that was Viz, and now with the Gollancz setup there isn't a problem. Plue comic book shops are still selling Viz titles yet to be released over here so I don't think anything came of it.

and half the time, we miss out if it doesn't take off on a large scale in countires such as America.

We can live in hope >^^<!

Yeah, I'd like to see more niche manga in places like Ottakars and Waterstones, but I admit I kinda like visiting Travelling Man (http://www.travellingman.com/store/index.php) and Forbidden Planet (http://www.forbiddenplanet.com/) for the harder-to-get stuff sometime, and of course, there's always the internet!

[evilmingdoctor]

thnk goodness for amazon :) - and i'm lucky to live near a forbidden planet too, though i usually buy my manga from amazon all the same

[Psycho Woman]

If I remember rightly that was Viz, and now with the Gollancz setup there isn't a problem.



I despise Viz. I just heard that they officially licensed Bleach, which sux. I just hope they don't ruin it completely, and that they actually pronounce the names correctly. :mad:

[elisegrey]

Probably when a readily-accessible Sky channel can be arsed to pick up some real quality anime and stick with it oh please God, as anime's kind of a portal for people to get into (the good stuff) manga.

But I don't know, I kind of like that it's not really mainstream yet. It's nice to go into a Forbidden Planet or wherever and for it to feel just a little bit special (although I know it's really not).

Oh, and yeah, Amazon UK's my saviour. For some reason, Waterstones and yaoi don't really seem to go together in my head. :D

I despise Viz. I just heard that they officially licensed Bleach, which sux. I just hope they don't ruin it completely, and that they actually pronounce the names correctly. :mad:
They won't. Life wouldn't be that good to us. It's Viz. D:

[Cojiro]

I think it's getting there. We have Manga in Waterstones book shops now. I remember just a few years ago that you'd NEVER see manga in a shop. (Other than comic stores) Hopefully in a year or two we'll be getting all the new releases direct into book shops!
Also, for a good UK online manga shop:
www.up1.co.uk

For a real shop tough, London's Forbidden planet can't be beat!

As for Anime...Well...I don't think it's sectons in HMV and Virgin stores are getting any bigger, sadly. Though I do see new re;eases quite often and Pom poko was even in the DVD charts! (I think...)

[Louann1]

I'm praying that in 5 years manga will make the mainstream. I can count the amount of stores in London who have a decent selection on one hand. There are a few bookstores like Books etc. that let you order through them if they haven't got it on the shelves but the selection is still limited. A while back I was really worried that my manga addiction would have to be brought to a abrupt halt but then I found Forbidden Planet. What would I do with all my time and money if I didn't have manga? Probably be a TV junkie and end up recording daytime TV for later.

[Perdition City]

What is Forbidden planet?

and concerning waterstones... when I went in 2 weeks ago they had a whole shelf dedicated to manga, but I went in earlier today to pick up Love Hina vol. 2... and it's been downgraded to only half a shelf :mad: I hope this is only temporary and they get more manga in stock soon!

[Satsukiyami]

I would love a anime channel over here in the UK, though i don't know if i want it going mainstream. I love the looks i get when i say "I watch anime and read manga" and then everyone goes "huh?". Got to love it! lol

[Perdition City]

haha yeah... the reaction I get is annoying though, when I say I love anime and manga I usually get the "ehh perverted cartoon porn? thats sick" reaction. Oh well, it's a damn good job I don't care lol!

and as with your stance on it going mainstream, I agree... it's okay the way it is sort of, it's just abit annoying that it's hard to get on the highstreet...

I think if there was a channel, it could still remain a little non-mainstream because sky seems to be getting more and more specialist/neich audience channels, which I suspect an anime channel would be one of those.

[elisegrey]

What is Forbidden planet?
A shop you can find all over the country with manga, anime, comics, asian cinema, fantasy etc. Self-styled 'cult entertainment megastores'.

...aka Heaven. :D

[Satsukiyami]

A shop you can find all over the country with manga, anime, comics, asian cinema, fantasy etc. Self-styled 'cult entertainment megastores'.

...aka Heaven. :D
LOL Excellant description... i couldn't have put it better myself!

haha yeah... the reaction I get is annoying though, when I say I love anime and manga I usually get the "ehh perverted cartoon porn? thats sick" reaction. Oh well, it's a damn good job I don't care lol!

Oh wow, thats one of the best reactions i get as well!!! :D I can't help but laugh.

and as with your stance on it going mainstream, I agree... it's okay the way it is sort of, it's just abit annoying that it's hard to get on the highstreet...

Yes, i know it is annoying not being able to find anime down in our local shops, but it's still available online... which is better than nothing for me!:cool:

[Chibi Ayame]

I really really hope that it takes to the mainstream. Okay so you can a bit in a few odd books shops, thank goodness for Amazon, but it would be cool to see more of it around. An anime channel would also be very cool.

We need more of it around, it's just too cool to be missed! :)

[Perdition City]

Forbidden Planet sounds great, I'll have to search for one near to me... there should be one in Birmingham, right? does anyone know? hehe

[elisegrey]

Forbidden Planet sounds great, I'll have to search for one near to me... there should be one in Birmingham, right? does anyone know? hehe
You lucky sod, you've got two. :D

Go to Google Maps UK, and then search for 'Forbidden Planets in Birmingham', and that should tell you where.

[Perdition City]

allright, thanks alot, i'll do that ;)

Edit: Wow yeah, I have 2 hahaha no wait... 4! I just searched my postcode, and there are another two even closer than Birmingham... I'm gonna; have to go there ASAP!

Edit again: no I got confused... the one that was closer was my own damn address hahaha I feel like such a tit head :P but it seems all the major cities around me have one, so it's not that far to go for any of them - im inbetween wolverhampton, birmingham, leicester and coventry lol

[GracieLizzy]

I prefer Travelling Man to Forbidden Planet... the Travelling Man in Newcastle is brightly lit and the manga section is in the middle of the shop, instead of the back like in Forbidden Planet which I find is dimly lit.

[elisegrey]

I prefer Travelling Man to Forbidden Planet... the Travelling Man in Newcastle is brightly lit and the manga section is in the middle of the shop, instead of the back like in Forbidden Planet which I find is dimly lit.
Oh, I agree with you - I love Travelling Man. The staff in there actually know what they're talking about, which is a nice change; most of the staff in Forbidden Planet know a lot about comics and fantasy novels, but almost nothing about either manga or anime. Also, it just looks nicer in there - and like you said, there's actually light. :D

[dudie]

When i was in London last year there was a lot of manga and anime in the stores of china town and the virgin megastore had a big rack full of anime (well the one at picadilly) and a few manga. And in London there is also a store forbidden planet i believe its called who seems to sell a lot of manga. Havent been there myself, didnt have time left.

[evilmingdoctor]

the forbidden planet in hanley has the mangas on display on the bottom floor near the middle of the shop; don't know wht it's like for other places

[Perdition City]

Do they do anime soundtracks in forbidden planet too?

[LadyTanyata]

I prefer Travelling Man to Forbidden Planet... the Travelling Man in Newcastle is brightly lit and the manga section is in the middle of the shop, instead of the back like in Forbidden Planet which I find is dimly lit.

I love The Travelling Man in Newcastle. That's where I get all my manga when I'm home. Ottaker's have started a new deal where you can join their manga club and buy 4 for the price of 3. Plus the one where I am now has really extended there manga section. It was just on half the end side but now that's full and a turning thingy as well full of manga.

[GracieLizzy]

Ottaker's have started a new deal where you can join their manga club and buy 4 for the price of 3.

I'm in the Ottakar's manga club ^_^

Plus the one where I am now has really extended there manga section. It was just on half the end side but now that's full and a turning thingy as well full of manga.

The Sunderland one has too, you should check if they have an upcoming manga night. When I commented on their being so many manga in the Sunderland Ottakar's the man at the till said it was because of the upcoming manga night they were having, something I already knew about but I didn't know that was why they were all stocked up! I'm going to the Sunderland Manga night.

[LadyTanyata]

I wish I was home now so I could go!!

[Gaara]

what exactly is forbidden planet?

[GracieLizzy]

what exactly is forbidden planet?

To quote ellie_i's earlier post (http://messageboard.tokyopop.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8220&postcount=18):

A shop you can find all over the country with manga, anime, comics, asian cinema, fantasy etc. Self-styled 'cult entertainment megastores'.

...aka Heaven.

Here (http://www.forbiddenplanet.com/) is their website.

[Satsukiyami]

I prefer Travelling Man to Forbidden Planet... the Travelling Man in Newcastle is brightly lit and the manga section is in the middle of the shop, instead of the back like in Forbidden Planet which I find is dimly lit.

I've never come across Travelling Man in my journeys, is it big??

[Ashen-Shugar]

Because im lazy and cant be bothered reading everybodys post before typing my own...someone may have already said this but...
ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!!??
It will NEVER be mainstream in teh UK unless...unless some really overweight
but incredibly wealthy japanese man buys the country...
Man that would be so frigging awesome! :D