Forum - View topicPhilosophical Manga
|
Goto page 1, 2 Next |
| Author | Message | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panzerkunst
 Posts: 17 |
|
|||||||
|
I've recently been searching for philosophical manga and have asked many people's opinions and recommendations on different series. So, I'm starting to put together a list of graphic novels which are rich in thought provoking material. Care to help me out?
From personal experience: (manga which I have actually read, which is very little!) Neon Genesis Evangelion: This anime/manga was literally popping at the seams, at least in my opinion. The series mostly focused on metaphysical philosophies. Evangelion tackles all types of metaphysical questions: "Who am I?", "What is self?", "What is soul?", "What separates one person from anything?" are just a few questions which arose within the series. Battle Angel Alita: I'm just finishing up this series and it has provoked me to ponder certain ideas and concepts of life many a times. It mostly covers, what it means to be human and the inevitable reaction of action. Its interesting to watch the characters karma twist together, causing a thick web of intriguing reactions and results. Those are just the two which I have read and have personally acknowledged there philosophical depth. Others which have been recommended to me are: Eden: It's an Endless World! (I really want to check this out!) Ghost in the Shell Kino no Tabi X/1999 xxxHolic Have anything to add or comment on? Please do! |
||||||||
|
||||||||
CloverKuroba
 Posts: 506 |
|
|||||||
|
One comment- Kino no Tabi is a light novel, not a manga. (Though it is great either way).
Here's one you might wanna add: Yokohama Kaidaishi Kikou The manga has a theme of mono no aware, which is sadness for things that pass away. Alpha, as an android, is immortal, and many of her experiences evoke nostalgia, like when children she knew and loved grow up and move away. While Alpha is a very cheerful android, it shows how existence can be an alternately happy and sad thing. Also, much of Alpha's world is shrouded in mystery, thus much is left up to the reader. There are many questions like who Alpha's owner is, what is the androids' purpose, and why are humans beginning to die out? YKK is definitely a manga I'd conside thought-provoking. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
Highway Star
 Posts: 227 Location: Ireland |
|
|||||||
|
Yeah, I'd reccomend Eden too, I like it so far after one volume and I even picked up the second today.
Also suggesting Akira, Icaro, Mushishi, Buddha, and definetely any of the three collected volumes by undeground artist Yoshihiro Tatsumi. Might add more when I think of 'em...[/i] |
||||||||
|
||||||||
Pityless/Envy
 Posts: 101 |
|
|||||||
|
One I just finished is a short 3 volume manga called Blue Heaven. It covers a lot of themes about terrorism and our life on earth in general and if was very enjoyable.
I have to mention Parasyte (Kiseijuu) yet again in this forum. The ending had me thinking hours after I finished it. Also, I'm going to start Battle Angel Alita, just because you mentioned it. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
HMMcKamikaze
 Posts: 189 |
|
|||||||
|
Eden sounds like one of the most interesting manga I've heard of in a while. I'd better check it out.
The only addition I can think of is Planetes. It takes place in the future where humans have entered into space and are slowly extending their reach. The story focuses on Hachimaki whose job is to collect debris that floats throughout space before it does any damage to ships. The manga deals with many concepts like greed, ambition, and our search for basic things like happiness. Even though there is so much potential in space it doesn't replace simple things like relationships with others, or more importantly, love. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
dormcat
Encyclopedia Editor
 Posts: 9902 Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC |
|
|||||||
Has anyone noticed something of them in common? Check it out, as it's my favorite manga magazine. And here is another good place to start. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Panzerkunst
Posts: 17 |
|
|||||||
|
These recommendations seem to be the best I've gotten anywhere. Finally!
Here is a more defined list of what I plan to be checking out: 1. Eden: It's an Endless World - Beautiful, surreal artwork with what seems to be a complex/abstract plot. 2. Parasyte - This one caught my eye once before and I am ashamed that I didn't investigate it more. Surely checking this one out. 3. Buddha - I'm sure this one is full of concepts that should naturally interest me since I've always been intrigued by Buddhist beliefs. 4. Planetes - I really like the setting this manga portrays. Though I don't know too much about it; I have a feeling its a real jewel. Has Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou been released on any sort of English medium? I'm really excited about this one and it seems right up my alley, but I can't find any English releases. As for just starting Battle Angel Alita, you won't regret it, Pityless! I'm glad your starting it - its an intense ride! Thanks and keep em' coming! |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
dormcat
Encyclopedia Editor
Posts: 9902 Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC |
|
|||||||
Only via scanlations, but you must look for it yourself. It's not that hard. 
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Highway Star
Posts: 227 Location: Ireland |
|
|||||||
|
Yeah, forgot about Planetes. I've only read the first two chapters, but it's really beautiful.
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
sinemente
Posts: 45 |
|
|||||||
|
Try some Tezuka:
MW Apollo's Song Ode to Kirihito Phoenix Buddha Or some Tatsumi: The Push Man and Other Stories Abandon the Old in Tokyo Or maybe even: Barefoot Gen
They're full up with moral, societal, and personal philosophical issues. (And some damn good stories.) |
||||||||
|
||||||||
sirgalahadthegreat
 Posts: 108 |
|
|||||||
|
You guys are forgetting the immortals of philosophical manga, aren't you? *sigh*Well, here they are:
-Ghost in the Shell: The be-all and end-all of philosophical manga, besides being a great action manga. - Appleseed: Another Masamune hallmark, this one contains some real gems about political and moral philosophy. -Gunslinger Girl: Has anyone thought about this yet? Though it was primarily intended as a shojo action manga, Yu Aida's thoughts about the possible deterioration of polity is reflected very clearly. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
stuckinfresno
 Posts: 223 Location: Fresno, CA |
|
|||||||
|
I second the following:
I would have recommended them myself, but since someone else did it so well I'll just support those. I haven't read Ghost in the Shell myself but the anime is certainly philosophical with the way it views man and machine. Another title that is loosely philosophical (and perhaps the anime is more so) is Fullmetal Alchemist. Also, on a completely unrelated note, you have the same post on Amazon right? I was going to flip through my copy of Manga to see what the author thought was philosopical and post that for you. (But I keep forgetting to do that  !)
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Moomintroll
 Posts: 1600 Location: Nottingham (UK) |
|
|||||||
Gunslinger Girl isn't shojo. It ran in the magazine Dengeki Daioh which is intended for the older end of the shonen demographic. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
shadow_kunoichi7
Posts: 5 |
|
|||||||
|
Death Note for sure. If you look into it, it questions man's right to decide the punishment of others of our kind. It deals with shinigami (death gods/angels of death). It's a really good storyline. Check out the manga and the anime.
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
hagakure|returns
Posts: 407 |
|
|||||||
Death nOte? Gunslinger Girl? WTF? |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 |
All times are GMT - 5 Hours |
|
|
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group