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#Post#: 158--------------------------------------------------
Manga cover analysis (guidebooks included)
DIR By: Lumaria
Date: December 30, 2015, 10:46 pm
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So here we will analyze Manga covers and see if we find patterns
in cover design. And at the same time compare it to the western
version. I"ll start off with Dragon Ball manga covers.
This will primarily help those who want to self-publish and find
a way to get more.
original cover
HTML http://www.oocities.org/hawk-taylor/DB1Cover.jpg
HTML http://www.kanzenshuu.com/guides/manga/tankobon/16/cover.jpg
compiled re-release
HTML http://www.kanzenshuu.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/viz3in1_home_page.jpg
guidebooks
HTML http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/dragonball/images/2/2d/DBLandmarkCover.png/revision/latest?cb=20120206172204
HTML http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/yamcha/images/1/10/Dragon_Ball_Forever_Comic.png/revision/latest?cb=20101013005201
english
HTML http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/dragonball/images/0/0d/DBallv1.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20100715065659
My Analysis:
Dragon Ball tend to follow a distinct pattern, at least in the
Japanese versions. For example, the logo of "Dragon Ball" is not
the overly flashy or quirky, that the English ones use. They use
a more standard font. Its easy to see and read, and overall
appealing. I noticed more shonen mangas tend to use Sans-type
of fonts, which makes sense because Japanese tend to prefer it
because its easy to read for them. The kanji takes an even more
minimalist way. The furigana underneath "Dragon Ball" is used in
a stamp form and volume number and even volume title are down
below.
As for the art, Dragon Ball series also puts big focus on where
its centered. All of the original releases had a frame where the
art would be placed, and often times the art would pop out. I
noticed particularly the cover with Goku and Picollo really
shined because they are both in opposite positions, and if both
framed, would not work. However, because the Piccolo portrait is
framed and Goku is not, it works really well.
As for the English editions, they aren't that great. The logo
isn't hideous, but i prefer the original logo a little more.
Something about it speaks to me. The bright red just does not
compliment the work. Its too bright, and also the big number on
the corner just feels intrusive. Overall it just dumbs down the
original design.
As or the guidebooks, Dragon Ball loves its dragons and even
though there are no frames, the cover does well to center the
art right at Goku and them with another non-intrusive logo.
#Post#: 273--------------------------------------------------
Re: Manga cover analysis (guidebooks included)
DIR By: John Will
Date: January 14, 2016, 5:14 am
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Those first two Japanese version covers are my two favorite
dragonball covers. I despise those red English covers, they're
outright horrible.
A lot of english versions of manga ruin the original japanese
covers and sometimes even use random illustrations in place of
the original. Drives me crazy.
My favorite manga covers are those first couple of Bakuman, of
course the art degrades to a simpler style as it goes on, but
manga is an extremely strenuous task so you can't blame Obata.
#Post#: 274--------------------------------------------------
Re: Manga cover analysis (guidebooks included)
DIR By: Lumaria
Date: January 14, 2016, 9:57 am
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It drives me crazy too. Bakugan is definitely a good example.
#Post#: 451--------------------------------------------------
Re: Manga cover analysis (guidebooks included)
DIR By: Akai
Date: February 21, 2016, 8:48 pm
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I'd like to have a quick look at Naruto's covers!
I think it started by following the shounen standard in Japan as
you showed for Dragon Ball: a square frame and bit popping out
of it:
HTML http://i500.listal.com/image/3852312/500full.jpg
Sometimes though the composition goes a bit crazy (lazy?)...at
first glance a lot of the covers are a bit difficult to read or
don't seem to convey much:
HTML http://cache.coverbrowser.com/image/bestselling-comics-2006/383-1.jpg
HTML http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/narutocouple/images/d/d4/Nartuo-Images-Manga-Volume-29.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140906143024
A lot of covers can be read in a circular way - the japanese
read right lo left, so in the covers below you can easily see
how each element of the picture guides you to the next - an
object, an arm, a look...there is often a strong standing
element in the middle, and things happening around him.
HTML http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1435526255l/2453403.jpg
HTML http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/naruto/images/2/2a/Vol37.png/revision/latest?cb=20141102221710
HTML http://images.saiyanisland.com/data/585/Naruto-Manga-Volume-63.jpg
HTML http://www.nonsolomanga.altervista.org/nonsolomanga/albums/naruto/cover-manga-naruto-shippuden-seconda-serie-./49.jpg
I think that with time, Naruto has created his own style through
his cover illustration, often very dramatic in the centre, and
balanced with calm on the side:
HTML http://i.imgur.com/gggdg.jpg
HTML http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140422113120/naruto/images/5/57/Volume_69.png
I still don't think Naruto manga covers are amongst the best
though! The manga chapters cover are a lot more experimental and
original (fish eye view anyone?), but I have to admit that the
style and composition makes Naruto stands out in manga stores!
#Post#: 453--------------------------------------------------
Re: Manga cover analysis (guidebooks included)
DIR By: Lumaria
Date: February 22, 2016, 2:24 pm
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I thunk Naruto covers (like Bleach and One Piece) all started
off unrefined. If you look at Bleach's covers, the intent to be
flashy was there but Tite Kubo's art was unrefined. Naruto for
some reasoned used an unusual conflicting contrast in his work.
Just look at volume 1. You would see the frogs having
contrasting shadows but Naruto/Sasuke/Sakura wouldn't have that.
Its interesting. For Naruto I was never fully attracted to the
covers until Part 2.
#Post#: 529--------------------------------------------------
Re: Manga cover analysis (guidebooks included)
DIR By: Orchid
Date: March 22, 2016, 3:26 am
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HTML https://dwgkfo5b3odmw.cloudfront.net/manga/thumbs/thumb-2628-TBLB_08_web.jpg
I noticed this manga before and thought it would be a good place
to bring up for a cover analysis.
This manga is different when it comes to coloring. It almost
feels like 80s or 90s manga but different somehow. I think it
might be the logo too.
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