So, traditionally, manga panels are structured in the flow of the Japanese language, which is written in vertical columns read from top to bottom and right to left (this is known as "tategaki"). Language dictates form. - ThreadSky

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philbybear.bsky.social • 145 days ago

So, traditionally, manga panels are structured in the flow of the Japanese language, which is written in vertical columns read from top to bottom and right to left (this is known as "tategaki").

Language dictates form.

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philbybear.bsky.social•145 days ago

In the 90s, American publishers released prints of manga that were "corrected" for American audiences and... it didn't take. Reversing the panels sounds like it'd be easy, like it wouldn't cause any friction, but it did. It disrupted the natural transition of one panel to the next.

philbybear.bsky.social•145 days ago

JD Bouchard in the same thread here goes into much greater detail.

revolverzanbolt.bsky.social•145 days ago

I mean, the logical conclusion of that argument is that all translated text should be written

l
i
k
e

t
h
i
s

philbybear.bsky.social•145 days ago

Except, not even Japanese is properly written like that. No one is saying concessions to international audiences when publishing foreign comics shouldn't be made, that's what translators are for.

revolverzanbolt.bsky.social•145 days ago

If the argument is that you have to keep the flow of language to match the way Japanese text draws the eye around the page, then why is only the left/right disparity important? If Japanese is read vertically first, isn’t that, at least, if not more, important to the art than right to left?

philbybear.bsky.social•145 days ago

https://bsky.app/profile/jdboucher0.bsky.social/post/3l665e4ltox2y

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