Good, bad… or whatever…?

Okay, after this delightful argument with an Arina Tanemura lover, who obviously didn’t quite share my opinion that Tanemura can’t draw nor tell a story properly, I’ve got a question for you.

What, in your view, determines the quality of a manga? And how the heck can anyone think Arina Tanemura is the best artist in the world?

Well for starters, I vote that you post some examples of this individual’s artwork so we can see for ourselves.

Anyway, I would think that a good manga would be determined by what determines any good story. I think the primary things that make any story interesting are good character development and good dialogue. If you have those, people will be able to enjoy the story somewhat, no matter what else is good.

In the case of manga, it’s a visual art form, so obviously the art quality being really terrific (http://www.overundertokyo.com) would help a lot.

OUT’s art has character that makes it somewhat distinct, but I wouldn’t place it near terrific. The creator had been using a lot of cut and paste BGs early on too -which is terribly common in japanese comics actually =\. I think he’s since laid off. Cool comic though, obviously.

Tanemura’s art (http://www26.brinkster.com/saraikun/media/wallpaper/index.htm). She seems like a pretty common contemporary shoujo artist. Not sure why someone would feel the need to call her the best. They probably enjoy her stories enough that the art comes off that much better to them, which is pretty common and perfectly sensible. I’ll very likely never read anything by her so I can’t give an opinion.

Hmm, yeah. That does look pretty typical.

Arina Tanemura has an extremely limited amount of different types of characters, drawings-wise. Means: They’d all look alike if it wasn’t for clothes and hair, and sometimes they look too much alike anyway.
Her art has flaws, too. She’s avoiding to draw certain things, like older people and similar, and propeortions often look odd, or heads from a certain angle…
Time Stranger Kyoko was a masterpiece example of bad planning. She told the story in only three volumes, but wanted to introduce circa 12 characters. In volume 3 she quickly introduces half of them on one page and then moves on with the story, not mentioning them ever again. o_o That was ridiculous.
All these are things that make her not my favourite by far.

Anyway, I would think that a good manga would be determined by what determines any good story. I think the primary things that make any story interesting are good character development and good dialogue. If you have those, people will be able to enjoy the story somewhat, no matter what else is good.
I agree with this. I also agree with the art being terrific helps, although I think you chose a poor example. 😛
This, and how you tell a story, how you arrange the panels, how you pace it, if you can do all that well. And in the end it all depends on whether the story is gripping. There aren’t any rules for that, aren’t there?

About the art. What art do you call terrific?

From japanese comics, Otomo Katsuhiro, Ito Junji and Morita Masanori instantly spring to mind.

Otomo: Akira, Domu, assorted Sci-fi

– I shouldn’t have to post any examples of his. =\

Ito: Uzumaki, Tomie, assorted horror

Morita: Rokudenashi BLUES, Rookies

http://comics-news.shueisha.co.jp/common/ct/gallery/m_gallery/rokudenashi/img/soutei.gif

http://www.mangaverse.net/html/bluescouvjap.htm

Originally posted by Misao
I also agree with the art being terrific helps, although I think you chose a poor example. 😛

I have funny taste in art. The quality itself isn’t nearly as good as a lot of professional manga artists, but the way it’s drawn means a lot more to me than anything else. Which is why I like this guy (http://www.eightland.com)’s art so much.

The only thing that’s really important to me is the story. Obviously, being a good artist helps tell the story, but if it’s up to a fairly decent standard, then it’s okay with me. Not that incredible visuals aren’t… nice, and all, but if the plot stinks, then it’s sort of redundant.

well, i think art is quite important. good art definitely make the manga better. good art doesn’t necessarily have to be pretty, though. if it has a distinct/unique style, then it’s good art.

good plot helps too. nobody wants to read manga without good plot.. well, unless the art is REALLY REALLY good.

The storyline is first priority.. art also impt cos its the first thing tat catches pple.. but storyline is wat gives the manga LIFE

It does look pretty common to me. My favorite artist has to be Yoshitaka Amano. His art really does have character.