As some of you may know, I (Scot) work as a proofreader/editor for NEXT Manga, publisher of the Manga Messiah series. I just wanted to put in a quick note for all who have been waiting for Manga Mutiny. The Japanese version has been out for quite some time now, and the English version is nearing completion. We finished the main bulk of the editing last night, and are now just waiting for Tyndale's (the US Publisher's) input. When that's done, we'll do some last-minute touch-ups, and then it will be ready for print!
For those who are new, back in 2006, New Life League Japan started it's branch called "NEXT Manga," publishing a book called "Manga Messiah." This was a 280-page full-color retelling of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) in the style of Japanese Manga (similar to American Comics). Last year, we released Manga Metamorphosis, giving the book of Acts the same treatment. This year, we are releasing Manga Mutiny, which tells the story all the way from the creation of the world to the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus, spendi
ng a majority of its time on Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. This will be followed up with another volume next year which will tell the rest of the Exodus. Despite being a bit biased, let me say that these books just continue to get better with every release. In my opinion, Mutiny is the best yet, and is leagues above any other books of its kind.Also, NEXT has just released a smaller, 64-page version of Manga Messiah simply known as "The Messiah." This was done as a low-cost way to meet the needs of pastors and missionaries who like to distribute these in bulk. Head over to the NEXT Website for more information. And be sure to check the "Testimonials" page for some inspiring stories.
13 comments:
Hi! Am so glad I stumbled across your blog! I've translated the Manga Messiah into Dutch and got a box of copies today, cuz the dutch version will be published soon :).
It's great to run into someone who's working on the same amazing project :D.
Hi! thanks for the comments at my blog :D. I dunno if I'll also be involved in translating the other mangas, whether those will be translated into dutch as well depends on the sales of Manga Messiah ...unfortunately my publisher decided to change "Yeshua" (which I also used) into "Jesus", which was kinda disappointing..I liked the use of "Yeshua" a lot, I thought it avoided (as C.S. Lewis described) the "stained-glass and Sunday school associations" of Jesus and enabled the reader to look at Jesus in a very new and powerful way.
As a matter of fact, it's my first translation, but I'm both a major in english linguistics and literature and a writer myself.
(and a pastor's kid. lol)
the application is from this self-publishing site (www.issuu.com), they had this customizable viewer which I embedded :)
I really like what the Manga is doing in Japan and around the world. So many people are turning to it as a way to understand the Bible. I don't think it will take the place of the 'real' thing but a good (more than a) starting point. I have sent some to friends in the US and they love it. So many are into the manga thing and this has set them on fire. I know the people who publish the manga but did not know your connection to it. What fun!
Next on my dream list is the book of Acts in KABUKI style (E/J) and why not? Want to work on it together?
Stan
Thanks Stan for your comment, good to hear from you.
And, lets talk, soon, about Kabuki. I want to hear about your idea in detail.
It's interesting to note that Manga Mutiny has a preorder date of August 3, 2009 on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Manga-Mutiny-3-Tyndale/dp/141431681X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240185505&sr=8-1
However, it seems that the English cover is somewhat different than the original Japanese cover. But it's still gorgeous.
I have both Manga Messiah and Manga Metamorphosis, and I can't wait until Manga Mutiny in August. :)
That pre-order date might be accurate, though it wouldn't surprise me if it ended up shipping earlier. Amazon is not noted for its accurate dates, and many authors/publishers really hate them putting those dates on the website.
Anyway, the pre-release copies showed up on my doorstep last Saturday, and they look nice to me. Tyndale did indeed change the cover artwork and some of the interior artwork. The Japanese cover depicts Adam and Eve lightly embracing one another, which I can only guess was too sensual for Tyndale. The American cover simply depicts Eve holding the forbidden fruit.
On the inside, a few scenes from the garden were edited, and the scene where Pharaoh's daughter was bathing was touched up. On the plus side, the American version has an introduction that was strangely missing from my Japanese copy. I don't know whether that was a misprint or not.
Work is already underway for the fourth book, so look forward to it.
Hi Scott
I'm just about to interview Kozumi Shinozawa for the Bible illustration blog. I was interested to read that some of the pictures in Manga Mutiny had to be edited as we were only just discussing the subject of 'not adding enough leaves' on the blog.
I was wondering if you could tell me what will be the subject of the last book Manga Messengers?
Many thanks!
Graham,
Thanks for your post. I would like to direct people over to Graham's "Bible Illustration Blog" at http://bibleillustration.blogspot.com/
It looks like you are doing some really interesting things. I've got it bookmarked.
Pictures that were edited in Manga Mutiny were specifically scenes depicting Even and Pharaoh's daughter. Eve actually gets more hair, not more leaves. Pharaoh's daughter is, in the Japanese version, depicted as bathing topless with her arm covering her breasts. In the Tyndale version, she is wearing a bath shirt. It really has to do with cultural things. Manga can get pretty graphic at times, so in Japan, those scenes are no big deal. In America, however, our target market is different, so we had to change things to suit them.
I don't know what the subject of Manga Messengers will be yet. I'm not even certain what the full scope of Manga Melech will be. Rest assured, when I DO know, I will let others know.
Scot--I teach religion in a Christian school in Asia in which very few of my students are Christians. I chose this book (Mutiny) as "textbook" for one of my classes (Messiah next semester). These students, who hate having to take my class, devour the books in spite of themselves. Others, who are in different classes, borrow the books on weekends and bring them back on Monday so that the class using them has them available. It is incredible the attention these books have garnered. The students who are Christian don't make much comment on them, but my non-Christian students are very impressed with the stories and the graphics. Just wanted to let you know these are fantastic. I think you've really hit the target--really looking forward to the last two!
M
Thanks for the encouragement, M. We are working on Manga Melech right now, which picks up right where Mutiny left off. I don't think it'll be available by next semester, but it will definitely be available by next year.
Well, I have to say, I will buy it as soon as I can. Mutiny is so gorgeous (the first two are decent, but can't hold a candle to Mutiny), and my students can't keep their hands off them. They are a fantastic resource. If, in my other class, I mention someone like Moses, I have students who will say, Oh, I remember reading that story in that book you loaned me. I hope you have the same artist as did Mutiny!!!!
M
Manga Mutiny is currently available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Manga-Mutiny-Tyndale/dp/141431681X
Yes, the artist for Manga Mutiny is returning for the next volume and, unless I am mistaken, the final volume as well.
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