Manga + Shakespeare = Heck Yes!

31 March 2010 | Filed Under Book Reviews, Tales from the Author's Desk 

Continuing my nod to Japanese influence in art, today’s post will promote the Manga Shakespeare series.

Hamlet is by far my favorite Shakespeare play, but I’ve always been disappointed in the interpretations I’ve seen. The Hamlet in my head is infinitely better than that of Kenneth Branagh, Mel Gibson, or even my university’s Shakespeare on the Lawn (although having Hamlet’s “words words words” be a copy of Hamlet was hilarious). But darn it if Manga Shakepeare’s version didn’t come close.

I picked up my Hamlet manga at the Globe Theatre (now how cool is that? Can’t believe they sold manga-version titles) and instantly fell in love. Sure it cuts out more text than I would like, but it’s a freaking manga. No way is the artist going to want to draw a picture for every page-long speech. It’s just not practical. And sure it’s futuristic, but look at him! He’s amazing!

I would love to read the other plays Manga Shakespeare offers, but my library only has Romeo and Juliet – another interpretation which deserves applause; I’ve never really liked Romeo and Juliet as characters, but the manga actually made me feel sorry for them at the end.

And when looking for the books at my used book store, I noticed they are part of a growing trend. Frankenstein and Dracula also have manga forms.

Who would have guessed that combining the classics with an accessible art form (i.e. manga or graphic novels) would actually get people to read them? *hint hint Jane Austen publishers*

Comments

2 Responses to “Manga + Shakespeare = Heck Yes!”

  1. Kim on April 2nd, 2010 9:54 am

    Interesting…I may have to look into this Manga Shakespeare series…

    On a side note – I recently watched three videos on YouTube called “Sassy Gay Friend” (all dealing with Shakespeare plays). If you don’t mind just a little bit of cursing, I think you might find this hilarious.

    “Sassy Gay Friend – Othello” found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKttq6EUqbE

  2. Jenn on April 2nd, 2010 10:11 am

    Those were amazing! Those girls really did need a Sassy Gay Friend to stop their suicides. Especially Desdemona. Stupid girl. Thanks for the link!

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