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How Did Hiro Mashima Become a Mangaka?

How Did Hiro Mashima Become a Mangaka?

Mary Lee Sauder
Blog Post

The power of hype and friendship is strong with this one—it’s Hiro Mashima! This prolific mangaka is best known for the shounen classic RAVE (which is called Rave Master in the West) and the bombastic magical quest known as Fairy Tail. If you’re looking for a fantastical story with a mixture of (slightly ecchi) comedy and hype-tastic fight scenes that run on raw emotion instead of cold logic, then Mashima is the author for you.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at Mashima’s career—his debut, his highs and lows, and what he’s up to now that Fairy Tail has ended. What is it that makes his work special, and has he kept up that same quality over his 20 years of publishing? Power up your magic with the help of your friends and join us!

The History of Manga in America - Part 2: Manga’s Influence on Western Comics

The History of Manga in America - Part 2: Manga’s Influence on Western Comics

Mary Lee Sauder
Blog Post

In Part 1, we explored the history of manga publication in America—from redrawn versions of Astro Boy to flipped artwork to authentic Tokyopop manga volumes and all the way to online streaming. Once manga became popular with American audiences, it influenced them to create their own works that resembled the Japanese originals they loved so much. And thus, new hybrids of West and East came onto the scene to add a new dimension to the traditional world of American comics. Let’s take a look at some of them!

Top 10 Female Leads in Super Power Anime

Top 10 Female Leads in Super Power Anime

Mary Lee Sauder
Blog Post

It’s tough to find female protagonists in superpower anime, particularly within the testosterone-fueled shounen genre. But these wonderful women do exist, and we’re here today to talk about ten of our very favorites. They’re confident, capable, and can kick your ass into next week with their supernatural powers. Let’s check them out!

5 Fruits Basket Manga Moments We Can't Wait to See Animated!

5 Fruits Basket Manga Moments We Can't Wait to See Animated!

Mary Lee Sauder
Blog Post

It’s finally here—the full-length Fruits Basket adaptation we’ve all dreamed about for 20 years! The 2001 anime is a nostalgic classic in its own right, but only gets as far as the 6th volume out of 23 before ending a bit anticlimactically. No storylines get resolved and some characters like Zodiac members Rin and Kureno as well as fan-favorite psychopath Ren don’t even get the chance to show up. But most importantly, the first anime doesn’t reach the point where Fruits Basket shifts from a high school comedy with a few sad backstories into the complex family drama that manga fans love so much.

Top 10 Supporting Characters in Anime [Updated]

Top 10 Supporting Characters in Anime [Updated]

Mary Lee Sauder
Blog Post

The main heroes and villains of an anime always get the most attention, but spare a thought for the fantastic supporting characters who back them up. Even though they don’t have as much screentime or character development as the leads, supporting characters can make a huge impact on the story with just a few actions.

Today, we’re counting down the Top 10 Supporting Characters in Anime. Their roles may be small, but they’re far from forgettable. Let’s get started!

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