Osaka Gakuin University 2024-2025 Fall Semester
Japanese Visual Art (Manga & Anime)
Theory and PracticeInstructor：
Mohammad MOSTAFANEZHAD
E-mail:mohamadom2017@gmail.com
Lesson:Tuesday & Friday 15:30-17:15
Subject code : 1045

Course Description:
This course offers a deep dive into the evolution of Japanese Comics(Manga), tracing their journey from traditional forms like emaki scrolls,
Japanese painting, woodblock prints, as well as Takarazuka theatre,
kamishibai, and so on to modern Manga and their synergy withJapanese animation (Anime). We will explore how these art forms
evolved after their contact with Western arts and have eventuallyshaped contemporary Japanese pop culture and the world.
You will be introduced to the greatest Manga and Anime creators andtheir works that left a lasting impact on Japanese society and art.
In this course, in addition to many other topics to be chosen as course
projects that relate to Japanese pop culture and art, students will get
the exciting chance to create actual Manga, emaki scrolls, andkamishibai as their individual or group projects.

Resources
There is no required textbook. Printed handouts will be provided
throughout the course. Course content is based on the following:
Mangasia! Book by Paul Gravett 2017
The Essential Guide to World Comics By Tim Pilcher and Brad Brooks
2005
Japanese Visual Culture by Mark W. MacWilliams 2008
Manga! Manga! the world of Japanese comics by Frederik L. Schodt
1986(winner of the Osamu Tezuka Culture Award)
60 years of Japanese comics by Paul Gravett 2004
Comics, Manga, and graphic novels; a history of graphic narratives byRobert s. Petersen 2010
Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud 1993
Making Comics by Scott McCloud 2006
Manga in Theory and Practice by Hirohiko Araki 2017

Evaluation
Attendance (15%)
Class Participation (25%)
Weekly Readings and in-class tests (30%)
Final Project (30%)

Notes:
1. Other resources and guidelines will be distracted throughout thecourse.
2. You need some drawing utensils for the workshops on creating
Manga (weeks 7,8&12). Paper will be provided.

Course Schedule:

Course starts from the week of 9/9
Week 1: Introduction to the course, introducing the resources andprojects, building teams.
Week 2: “Origins of Japanese Art” - Study traditional forms like Emaki
scrolls, Takarazuka theatre, and Kamishibai.
Week 3: “Chou Jinbutsu Giga (Toba-e) and Hokusai Manga” - Explore
these iconic works and their influence on Japanese art and culture.
Week 4: “East Meets West: The Intersection of Japanese and WesternArt” - Study the contact and influence between Japanese art andWestern art, Comics, and political cartoons.
Week 5: “Transition to Pop Culture” - Explore how modern manga andanime were born.
Week 6: “Manga & Anime: Art and Narrative” - Learn about thegreatest Manga and Anime creators and their works.
Week 7 & 8: “Hands-on Experience” – Guidance on creating actual
Manga, Emaki scrolls, and Kamishibai as individual or group projects.
Week 9: “Pop Culture and Society” - Discuss the societal impact of pop
culture, including issues of gender, identity, and globalization.
Week 10: “The Business behind the Manga and Anime industry” - fromproduction to marketing.
Week 11: “Future of Pop Culture” - Analyze the impact of Japanese
pop culture on today’s world and implications for the future.
Week 12: Preparation and guidance for the final projects
Week 13: “Final Project Presentation” - Present a research project or awork of Manga, Emaki, Kamishibai, etc.