Jim Lee, President and Chief Creative Officer of DC Comics, has openly acknowledged that Japanese manga and anime currently hold a clear advantage over Western comics. In an interview with Japanese media outlet Nikkei XTrend, Lee shared his perspective on the global comics industry and explained why manga and anime have been able to connect with audiences more effectively, particularly younger generations.
According to Lee, Japanese manga and anime possess strong narrative power that keeps readers engaged for long periods. These stories range from simple everyday experiences to emotionally driven narratives that reflect real-life struggles and personal growth. This ability to create emotional resonance allows readers to easily form deep connections with characters and worlds.
Differences in Storytelling
Lee pointed out that Western comics continue to rely heavily on superhero-driven content, both in terms of sales and readership. He noted that most American comics revolve around superhero narratives, with audiences and revenue largely concentrated within that genre.
In contrast, Japanese manga offers a much broader range of storytelling themes. These include slice-of-life stories, sports, cooking, romance, and socially reflective narratives. In Japan, manga is often viewed as a form of literature that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, rather than being limited to superhero fantasies.
Lee emphasized that one of the most important differences is how manga and anime are not restricted to children. In Western markets, readers often move away from comics as they grow older and shift toward live-action media instead. Manga and anime, however, continue to grow alongside their audience, maintaining relevance well into adulthood.
Finding “This Is Me”
Another key factor highlighted by Lee is the mindset of younger audiences who seek stories that feel personal and authentic. Rather than inheriting trends from previous generations, modern readers want to discover content that makes them feel, “This is me.”
Manga and anime provide space for readers to explore identities, emotions, and perspectives that closely mirror their own lives. This sense of personal connection plays a significant role in why Japanese content resonates so strongly across global audiences.
Lee also reflected on the manga industry’s history, noting its rapid growth during the 1990s, followed by a slowdown in the mid to late 2000s due to market saturation, declining quality, and widespread piracy. Despite these challenges, the manga market began recovering around 2013 and experienced significant expansion during the COVID-19 period.
He concluded by stating that the manga industry is now larger than the American comics industry, and believes this is something Western comics creators should carefully study and learn from moving forward.
Source: Anime Corner
