Tintin Forums

My knowledge of mangas may be rather limited since, as I see it, most of them deal with fantasy and science fiction and there are few that surround contemporary events and give the impression of being based on detailed research into their subjects. For me one of the appeals of Tintin, as an adult, is that the series raises social and political issues and that Herge did a lot of background work into the stories before writing and drawing them.

I know that Tintin also raises fantasy issues (nature turned gigantic on the Shooting Star, an Inca civilisation in the 20th century, the aliens of "Flight 714") but these appear to be more the exception than the rule.

Can anyone think of a manga series that is in the same spirit as Tintin? A series of adventures that raise social and political issues; good research into the geography of the places the characters visit; plenty of humour as well as action?

And what is the opinion of manga in general? Are they worth reading? I have to say that the back-to-front aspect of some editions have rather put me off. I don't understand why the publishers could not edit them in such a way as being easier for a westerner to read. To force us to read it the Japanese way is quite frankly pushing things a bit far.

Most manga readers wish to read them the Japanese way because it feels more authentic. It's pretty easy to get used too. Soon you'll find manga that read front to back cumbersome, I know I do.
There are many good manga, and lots of crap ones but manga isn't mostly sci-fi/fantasy, it crosses all genres from children's, to sport and more adult offerings (and everything in-between).

I can't think of a manga similar to Tintin but Monster by Naoki Urasawa is a brilliant psychological thriller set in real life locals (mostly Switzerland and German but all well-researched) Think The Fugitive tv series but darker, more complex and grittier. The New Kindaichi Case Files is also very good, think crime/thriller with a Japanese flavour. Hayao Miyazaki has a brilliant but detailed and complex sci-fi/fantasy manga called Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.

Manga is very versatile, so it's highly possible there's something similar to Tintin. Maybe someone else can help you there.

There's also this manga titled "Barefoot Gen" which is about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, it's loosly based on the author's own experiences as a suvivior of the atomic bomb.

And your right about "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" TinTinrulz, it's main theme is enviormentl protection, in fact a lot Hayao Miyazaki's work has a message about proteing the enviorment.