Annotated Bibliography: Shonen Manga

Moises Bautista
Prof Jewell
English 1101
Annotated Bibliography
         
        Manganelo, Masashi Kishimoto. “Naruto Vol.1 Chapter 1: Uzumaki Naruto – Manganelo.” Https://Manganelo.net/, Shueisha’s Magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, 21 Sept. 1999, https://manganelo.net/manga-ng99658/chapter-1

      The story of recognition from fellow peers and society itself is what we all seek sometimes. In the Japanese shonen manga series Naruto(1999) written by Masashi Kishimoto; Naruto Uzumaki, a twelve-year-old ninja who is looked down upon others in the village, seeks acknowledgment and respect from everyone in the village with his dream of becoming Hokage(Title bestowed upon village leader). The audience reading Naruto is too young male viewers who are around naruto’s age who are having struggles in life or love a story of a relatable character. The audience is upon the young male adult demographic as well since he is goofball that cried and made many mistakes as a kid which many can reminiscent from their childhood. Readers can relate and sympathize with naruto since he gets an appeal of being a troublemaker to get the attention of everyone(seeking attention). While knowing he is inferior to his classmates, making mistakes and showing his weakness he doesn’t like to lose or give up. The author uses the rhetorical appeal of pathos while trying to have an impact on the audience. For example, when he starts off he starts out the series with the premise in which naruto fails a clone jutsu exam needed for him to graduate and gets tricked by one of his teachers(Mizuki) to steal a scroll that has secret ninjutsu. While disguised as another teacher(Iruka)Mizuki tried killing naruto explaining that he has a demon fox inside him that killed Iruka’s parents and that Iruka was tricking him, Iruka got hurt protecting naruto in which naruto heard him say “The demon fox would do that but naruto is different…He may not be the hardest worker and he’s clumsy so nobody accepts him…he is a member of the hidden leaf village, He’s Uzumaki Naruto!!” to Mizuki. In which naruto learned the clone Jutsu with the scroll to defeat Iruka ultimately proving his graduation from the Ninja Academy. This sentimental beginning of learning that everything wasn’t for nothing and that there are people that understand and care about you in life to the series have made readers attached to Naruto and the world he inhabits.

Manganelo, Yoshihiro Togashi. “Hunter X Hunter Chapter 46 : Nen – Manganelo.” Https://Manganelo.net/, Shueisha’s Magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, 16 Mar. 1998, https://manganelo.net/manga-oc102354/chapter-46.

        Pure excitement for the unknown and unyielding unbreakable compassion towards others is what life is all about. In the Japanese shonen manga series HunterxHunter(1998) written by Yoshihiro Togashi follows the young protagonist Gon Freecss after discovering his father left him when he was little to continue being a hunter(Licensed Professional which can specialize in multiple degrees such as studying creatures and hunting down outlaws), is inspired by his father’s strong will to be a hunter even to the point of leaving his son and soon heads out to be a hunter with the goal of meeting his father someday. HunterxHunter is primarily focused on a younger teenage audience that seeks action-based combat and young men who are looking towards constant story development. Readers can relate and look upon Gon for happiness since he is a creative and pure character that is curious about the world. The defining factor of friendship is quite apparent in the series when it comes to Gon because is naturally honest and has a way with words that attract character towards him in a way viewers can look towards upon in their own friendships. The author uses the rhetorical appeal of logos in the story to have an effect on readers. For example, there are seven narratives(story arcs) that are completely different but all interconnect with one another. It starts off with the Hunter exam which can be defined as a battle royale, then to rescue mission on Gons friend and then going towards a training arc in which they had the time to waste since the next event was months apart. It gives readers and a greater sense of time passing by throughout the story. “ “Ren” is one of the four principles of the big training. The four principles of the training are the basis of every fighting technique relying on spirit elevation and its hardening…Finding the “Ten” learning the “Zetsu” succeeding the “Ren” and reaching the “Hatsu and all these forms the “NEN” practice.”(46)The logical sense of the world and how/what they need to learn in order to become stronger makes readers more thrilled and excited to see the end results of all their hard work.

Manganelo, Tsugumi Ohba. “Death Note Vol.1 Chapter 2 – Manganelo.” Https://Manganelo.net/, Shueisha’s Magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1 Dec. 2003, https://manganelo.net/manga-bv106299/chapter-2.

        Have you ever been in the perspective where you have to make a decision of whether to choose over wanting a villain or hero to win? In the Japanese shonen manga series Death Note(2003) written by Tsugumi Ohba follows Light Yagami, referred genius, when he one day sees a notebook called the “Death Note” fall from the sky that was dropped by a god death, with said ability to kill anyone whose name is written in it. The story focuses on Light doing mass murders with the notebook, alias “Kira”, and with his philosophy of those who are deemed unworthy but an “enforcement task force” led by the greatest detective called “L” who identity, background, and origins are a mystery, are trying to bring justice by putting a stop to Kira’s mass killings. Death Note is intended for a young male audience who wish to keep their adrenaline running and suspense high whenever L and Kira do actions to outsmart each other. Readers will get thoughts like “What would I do in that situation” and “How would I outsmart him?” while constantly reading the manga. The author uses the rhetorical appeal of logos in the story to have a major influence on the reader, making them read each and every word the characters state. For example, when L set up a prisoner to introduce himself as L, creating a new identity, and a mass worldwide broadcasting message stating the Kira must be Japanese and that there is a way to prove he is here. He tempted Kira with word “But what you’re doing is Evil!!” and “So why don’t you kill me!”and baited Kira into killing the imposter.L later explained that it was a lie that the broadcast was worldwide but only in the Kanto region of Japan and that he couldn’t kill without a name and face. The deduction from L from the limited information of the location of people he killed in a short time frame sends shivers down the spines of readers to see who’ll find each other first. Readers will find a change of pace towards the anti-hero protagonist the more we learn of his mindset and the precautions he takes while constant battles of two intellectuals and the constant worry of the unknown are what is awaiting readers.


Manganelo, Kōhei Horikoshi. “Boku No Hero Academia Vol.1 Chapter 1: Midoriya Izuku The Origin – Manganelo.” Https://Manganelo.net/, Shueisha’s Magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, 7 July 2014, https://manganelo.net/manga-jq98942/chapter-1.

          We always start with a dream, even when it seems impossible, continue to believe in that dream for one day it’ll come true. In the Japanese shonen manga series My Hero Academia(2014) written by Kōhei Horikoshi depicts the story Izuku Midoriya, a boy who unfortunately wasn’t born with superpowers(quirks), in a society where they are prevalent but who dreams of becoming a superhero nonetheless. When an encounter with “All Might” the hero referred to as a symbol of justice, ultimately leads to him inheriting his quirk(one for all) and enrolling in most prestigious hero highschool in Japan. The audience reading My Hero Academia are too young male demographic that wishes for more in life and to imagine the amazing feeling it’ll be to be someone who went from zero to hero. Readers can relate with Izuku due to him being bullied but still aspired to be a hero throughout his childhood and saw All Might as a role model, always watching the same video of him saving citizens. The author uses the rhetorical appeal of pathos while trying to have an impact on the audience. For example, when his childhood and rival(Bakugo) was being attacked by a villain and All Might was somewhat injured from a previous battle, Izuku without any hesitation came out to try and save him. “Its because your eyes were pleading for help!” Izuku responded to Bakugo as he desperately tried to save Bakugou. Which made All Might feel pathetic and angry towards himself that he couldn’t save them sooner but ultimately does in quick fashion. “There’s something that’s said about top heroes when they were still students. Most of their stories are linked by the following line: “My body moved on its own before I could think!!”…YOU CAN BECOME A HERO.” These words have the sensation that miracles can exist but most importantly if you believe you can become whoever you wish to be.

“VIZ: Read One Piece Manga Free – Official Shonen Jump From Japan.” VIZ Media: The World’s Most Popular Anime, Manga and More!, Shueisha’s Magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, 22 July 1997, https://www.viz.com/shonenjump/chapters/one-piece.

          An uncomparable odyssey like no other, where there is a captivating cast of interesting characters and an enthralling plot. In the Japanese shonen manga series One Piece(1997) written by Eiichiro Oda follows the story of Monkey D. Luffy,a boy that ate the power of a devil fruit to make his entire body made out of rubber, and his pirate crew he gathered along his journey, in search of the legendary treasure called “One Piece”.The audience reading One Piece is mainly focused on young male teenagers/adults but isn’t limited to that single demographic since One Piece can be enjoyed no matter what age you are. Readers can relate to Luffy since he is a sort of symbol/representation of freedom for us readers in the real world, disliking authority such as the world government and enjoys the thrills of adventure. The author argues with the life lesson that its ok to need help in life, gaining assistance from others. For example, Chopper(a reindeer who ate the human devil fruit, can communicate in human speech)dream is to “…become a doctor who can cure any disease! Because… because there’s no disease in this world that can’t be cured!” and Nami(a female navigator and former-thief who was threatened by a group of pirates to give them money, later saved by Luffy) who dreams “to draw a complete map of the entire world”.While all the crewmates have completely different dreams and goals in life, they are all getting support from one another to make their dreams come true. These goals are so significant that they need each other to reach them, Strive to have goals so big that you can’t do it alone as well.


“VIZ: Read Dragon Ball Z Manga – Official Shonen Jump From Japan.” VIZ Media: The World’s Most Popular Anime, Manga and More!, Shueisha’s Magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, 3 Dec. 1984,
https://www.viz.com/shonenjump/chapters/dragon-ball-z

        A story inspired by the legendary Chinese novel Journey to the West with a slice of comedy and jaw-dropping action-packed fight scenes that became a coming of age story for future shonen manga. In the Japanese shonen manga Dragon Ball(1984) written by Akira Toriyama follows the adventures of Son Goku, Saiyan(alien) sent to earth as a child with the goal to destroy it in which he hits his head one day and is raised by an old man in the mountain. The adventure focuses on Goku, from childhood to adulthood, martial arts training and venturing around the world in search of the dragon balls(seven orbs which summon a wish-granting dragon). Dragon Ball’s intended audience is young boys/teens but Dragon Ball is a kinda special case in which any age group can enjoy its unique narrative. The author argues that you have to push yourself to your limits if you want to reach your full potential as an individual. For example, when Goku is training his son to become stronger to defeat a threat to earth he tells his son “Power comes in response to a need, not a desire. You have to create that need.” The author is showing that even if we are all afraid to be challenged sometimes if you work on being the best person you can be, you’ll have the confidence to face challenges head-on and overcome all the obstacles in the way.