Manga, the comic art form from Japan is slowly gaining in popularity with Indians, according to Ed Chavez, the head of Manga Comics who was here to attend the annual comic convention.

With ‘Chi’ a lovable manga comic character for company, Chavaz took the stage at Dilli Haat , the venue of the 3rd Annual Indian Comic Con, to talk about Japanese comics in India.

“We will be here in India with Manga comics very soon,” said Chavez, Director Marketing of Vertical Inc, one of the leading manga publishers in the world.

“Initial talks are on between different publishers,” he added.

Founded in 2003, the New York-based publishers Vertical, Inc, are North America’s premier source for eclectic modern Japanese pop content.

Beginning in late 2003, Vertical launched its first graphic novel series Buddha . Since then the company has become US’s premiere publisher for seinen manga (men’s comics) and is now quickly becoming the main source for josei manga (women’s comics) in the Western world.

“In Japan, comics are popular as movies do their business in the US. The essence of Indian comics has originated from Indian mythology. But Japanese comics are related mainly with day to day activities of people. It can be innovations or science fiction,” Chavez told PTI. The comics are usually written to read from top to, bottom, to resemble the Japanese script.

Even though the trend of comics being converted into full length movies has been in vogue with popular series Spiderman, Batman, Superman and so on now on film, Chavez says he thinks a comic loses its soul in the process.

“I am more of a comic person. I like to read it. I am not in the idea to do movies out of it”, said Chavez. “I like reading and watching movies. But movies won’t sometimes do justice to the characters,” he added.

At the Delhi Comic Con, people from all age groups participated in interactive groups and, according to Chavez, they all were familiar with Manga.

“This is a good time for making the brand more popular as well as increase the business,” said Chavez.

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