A Peek Into Chinese Comics (Manhua)
Great comics the world has been missing out
Chinese comics? Is it a thing?
Most people outside China have never heard of Chinese comics, let alone the word “manhua.” But recently, manhua is gaining popularity around the world. The funny thing is, some people might even be reading manhua without realizing it.
That’s why I want to introduce the history behind manhwa and how it’s unique to the broader audience.
History of Manhua
Manga is pronounced [mawn-guh], but manhua is slightly different. Pronounced [mawn-hooah], both writings are the same based on the Chinese characters 漫画.
Breaking it down, 漫 (man) and 画 (hua) literally means “casual” and “drawing” respectively. As the name suggests, it originally started as a form of doodling for just about anything.
The first recording of manhua dates 900 years ago in the Northern Song Dynasty of China. Its story portrays a bird named Manhua that catches fish with its beak sticking in the water.
Manhua’s influences blend traditional Chinese brush paints and American, Japanese, and Korean comics. Almost like a melting pot of comics.
There are some themes, however, that are distinct to manhua and manhua alone. Like shonen and seinen is to manga, manhua has its kinds too.
Manhua Themes
These are two particular genres that Chinese content is known for — Wuxia and Xianxia. Not just comics but also movies, novels, TV series, etc.
Wuxia
Wuxia is made from two characters; “Wu” and “Xia”, literally mean martial hero. Its stories are martial arts stories set in moderately realistic settings.
“Qi”, also known as the life force in traditional Chinese culture, is fundamental in this theme. Jet Li’s Chinese folklore stories demonstrate what Wuxia is like.
Xianxia
As for Xianxia, the characters forming it are “Xian” and “Xia”, literally meaning immortal hero. Xianxia the fantasy version of Wuxia, with magic, demons, immortals, flying people, and other fictional characteristics.
The most significant influencer of Xianxia is Taoism. It is believed that through its practice, people can extend their lifespan or even become immortal.
These stories are usually set in a historical background — some of them are set in real history like the Tang Dynasty, while others are fictional.
If you are new to Chinese comics, I highly recommend Battle through the Heavens. Adapted into films and TV shows, it’s one of the most popular manhua today.
Watercolor Art Style
Inspired by the traditional ink brush painting, watercolor comics are top-rated in China. I love how the colors spread out from the center, creating irregular patterns that fade away at the edges. It’s a unique and enchanting artistic approach.
If you haven’t read any comics drawn with watercolor, I recommend Mr. Zhang’s Myths. It’s a mystery series set in historical China with a punch of traditional Chinese attire and folklore. The artwork is captivating. I’ve found myself so immersed in the story that I lost track of time.
Is there anything else you find unique about Chinese comics? How do you find it compared to Western, Japanese, and Korean comics? Leave your thoughts below.
