There are many reasons why the Japanese comic industry makes up such a large part of that nation’s publishing, and media market in general. However, one fact that sets it apart from comics globally is manga’s willingness to create narratives based on the most mundane topics. While adventures may be common in Belgian cartoons and superheroes dominate most American comics, the Japanese mix in tales of wine and felines with their ninja and giant robot stories.
This week Vertical continues to challenge the North American comic scene by releasing two titles from the extremes of manga. Originating from the same anthology, Tadashi Agi’s The Drops of God and Konami Kanata’s Chi’s Sweet Home exemplify manga’s diversity as well as its potential, as both have taken the world by storm in their own unique ways.
The Drops of God became a global phenomenon a few years back as it taught a large portion of the Far East the virtues of wine. No longer was wine a simple status symbol for the elite; through Shu Okimoto’s rich visuals, Burgundy and Bordeaux were now nearly as accessible as soju and beer. A multi-million seller overseas, The Drops of God is already a media darling in the U.S. and is primed to change comics culture here forever.
Konami Kanata’s Chi’s Sweet Home, now in its seventh volume, has become a sensation for a different reason. A multiple New York Times Best Seller, the adventures of an American Shorthair and her extended human family has captured the hearts of Americans through pure cuteness. Appreciated by kids of all ages, this comic has brought new life to a medium skeptics thought was on the decline.
So as these books find their way from bookshelves and warehouses to homes across the globe, why not raise a glass high to Vertical manga-tastemakers and trail-blazers of Japanese comics of the highest quality?
