Whether you like it or not, or heard of it, manga is gaining worldwide popularity. Even in Singapore, when a few years back, reading manga is practically unheard of or simply not gaining enough supporters. The mindset was that reading mangas or comics was simply wasting your time away, in some sense, it is also linked with delinquents in the society. So if you are caught reading a manga, my perception of you as a person might just take a turn.

However, now reading manga is just a pastime for many. Now, the manga genre has really expand and is accessible to a wider range of readers. There are also people who buy mangas and collect them. But, for me, I just read them online. Many people read because the story-lines are interesting and the characters are very well portrayed. The themes are often repeated, like hero saves the day, or some sort, but its how they shape the story and the process, you get the idea. However, some girls get quite turn off when they see a guy obsess with mangas, having said that, girls read manga too.

So what exactly is manga? The following is the definition from wikipedia:

Manga is the Japanese word for comics (sometimes called komikku) and print cartoons. In their modern form, manga date from shortly after World War II but have a long, complex history in earlier Japanese art. In Japan, manga are widely read by people of all ages, so that a broad range of subjects and topics occur in manga, including action-adventure, romance, sports and games, historical drama, comedy, science fiction and fantasy, mystery, horror, sexuality, and business and commerce, among others.

Sometimes, on the bus or the mrt, you can see people reading mangas, while others play mangas related games on their psp. If you think manga is a waste of time and no one reads them, you are missing out on a lot. The Japanese for once, are very serious about their business, and their business is growing very very big. They not only draw and publish mangas, but also do anime for the series, and if its popular enough, the action figures and toys will appear, and with time eventually costumes, equipment or weapons showed in the manga would be selling at shops. The industry is very big, and since people talk and discuss about these things, they would also share with their friends. Thus it is really a industry that is growing rapidly which cannot be underestimated. In Singapore, where in the past, one hardly notices, now comics shops have sprung up all over the island.

For me, as I said earlier, I see no point in buying mangas or comics, although they are really affordable. You can actually read them online at onemanga.com . Nowadays, I do still read some mangas, when there are updates, I spend around 20-30 minutes reading it. I am not going to say there is any moral values or lessons that you are going to derive or get at the end of the day, but its just pure entertainment, for the fun of it. So enjoy, if you are new to this world of mangas.

Current reading (www.onemanga.com):

• Naruto
  
• Bleach
• Kekkaishi
• Nodame Cantabile
• One Piece

These are some of the mangas that I read which are on-going. Be careful not to be too obsessive when reading into the stories, remember to take a break. And make sure it does not interfere with your actual life daily routines, cause if you are hooked, its hard to get off. I have spend many hours reading mangas, but that was during my national service when I have plenty of time to spare. So when reading, read only in your spare time, and last warning, do not let it take over your life, seriously.