Manga

1. Manga is the Japanese word for printed comics and cartoons. When literally translated, manga means "whimsical pictures". (Wikipedia) While being compared to the traditional literature, manga differs in a number of ways.
     I. The format of manga is quite unique. It is normally printed like a black and white picture book, with pictures as its foundation, and texts serving to enhance the understanding of events. Manga is intented to be read from top to bottom, and right to left, as opposed to from reading from left to right, in traditional literature that we are used to reading. The style of displaying from right to left is not uncommon in traditional Asian cultures. Examples of such are the Chinese scripts that were originally recorded on wooden scrolls. They were all recorded from top to bottom, right to left.
     II. Like the name suggests, every Manga is built upon whimsical pictures. Manga artists express their ideas through a combination things, such as drawings and words. Whereas the traditional literature is based on words, with minimal pictures to help support the text. In manga, words are used to supplement the pictures, whereas in traditional literature, pictures supplement words. The shift of emphasis between the two made them inherently different.
     III. Because manga adopts the use of both pictures and words, its targeted audience also broadens. In America, it seems appropriate to read materials that suit the readers. A young child seems most suitable reading a picture book. Whereas an adult seems more suitable reading a book packed with words. In Japan, however, there seems to be less age boundaries limiting the reading of manga. It is not uncommon to spot middle aged adults reading manga who may happen to enjoy the storyline of such picture books.
     IV. The underlying theme behind the stories in manga are noticeably different from the literatures that we've covered this term. First and foremost, manga was originated in Japan. The types of theme depicted in manga have been popuarly resolving around the action adeventure of a super hero or heroine, science fiction, or that of supernatural settings. Because the nature of drawing is so flexible and that pictures can be grossly exaggerated, topics that seem are represented in manga may appear more abstract or unreal as compared to the traditional literature. As I read through the volumes of BLEACH, I found it effective for artists to overly dramatize characters' movements, facial expressions, and body parts to convey the message of the particular scene - abnormally huge yet beautiful eyes to represent innocence; giant sweat drops to convey frustration and humor, etc.
     V. A picture is worth a thousand words. By allowing the readers to see the pictures by themselves, it is as if they are perceiving the events happening live. The messages that manga artists intended are now open to intepretation of the perceivers. In traditional literature, words such as adjectives are used in the bias of the authors. "The hollow is unbelievably huge." What is huge to the author may not be huge to me. But in a book where pictures speak for themselves, the ratio and proportion of the monster compared to the average person becomes self-explanatory.

2. In BLEACH, words are used to supplement the drawings. As I went through the volumes, I found myself glancing over the pictures first before reading the words. So my reaction to the picture already gives me a good feeling about what's going on. Then, the words step in to clarify the pictures.
     I compared pages where a lot of words are spoken and pages where minimal text was used. The pages with more texts are normally used because they needed to be; in other words, the texts are inserted to clarify the conversations or to add humor into the sequences of events. In pages with little to no texts at all, the pictures are the best way to tell the story. For example, on page 102 of Volume 1, Ichigo and Rukia encountered a Hollow and are trying to defeat it. In a situation like this where every second counts, the artists prefer to use pictures to illustrate the situation. Every picture represents only a faction of a second in the story. Adding dialogues wouldn't fit in this scenario.
     In essence, images not only open up the story to the interpretation of the readers, they can also better capture the urgent circumstances of the situation. If someone were to read the description of the battle between Ichigo and a hollow, the reader would fail to capture the element of fear, urgency and surprise that the artists originally intended. By using images, readers quickly observe through the actions and also experience the first hand adrenaline rush that the main character probably experienced in the story.

3. In the BLEACH universe, there seems to exist a system which embodies the combination of Christianity and Japanese beliefs. Shintoism and Zen Buddhism are the two major religions in Japan. In Shintoism, everything is said to have a "kami" or a soul/spirit. Likewise, in BLEACH, the commoners all have a physical body, and a spirit/soul. However, the soul, as it leaves the body, will no longer be seen by human forms. Hence the story of the special high school boy Ichigo, who can detect souls/spirits with his naked eyes.
     Shinigami, the "Soul Society" of the BLEACH universe, is like the equivalent of Heaven, whereas the Hollows are portrayed as the counterparts of Satanic creatures in Christianity. The system in the manga book seems to go well with the traditional Christian system that many Americans believe in.
     In addition, it is general believed in both Christianity and Buddhism, that by committing acts of charity and other philanthropic deeds, the individuals will eventually be sent to a higher eternal spiritual haven after death.
     In chapter one of the manga, as Rukia suggests to transfer her Shinigami power to Ichigo, she must pierce through Ichigo's chest with her Zanpakutou, or a soul cutter. (pg 43, V.1) The way it is executed reminds me of Japanese's samurais and their way of suiciding in face of captivation. Maybe the reason they kill themselves is because they believe by thrusting a sword into their body, they are unleashing themselves a sense of spiritual force.

4. Like the answer to question 3 implies, the lessons of BLEACH will most likely coincide with the teachings of the religions that the manga bases on. The main lesson advocates us be good to others, and that good actions will be followed by rewards.
     To be more specific, the issue of equality is mentioned as Rukia tells Ichigo to treat all spirits equally, and that if he were going to help people, he shouldn't only help the ones that are around him. (pg 78, V.1) The lesson seems to suggest that people should treat others the same regardless personal reasons.
     The importance of family love comes to light when Acidwire, or the dead brother of Inoue's realizes that his remorse is not caused by Inoue, and sacrficies his desire by cutting his own head with a zanpakutou. (pg 159, V.1) The lesson here seems to suggest that love, particularly family love, is ultimately stronger of a force than evil.
     And later, Rukia explains to Ichigo that the cutting of his head with a zanpakutou is not really killing him, all it does is wash away his sins so he can be sent to Shinigami. (pg 160, V.1) The quality of forgiveness is emphasized here.