HOBBIES

I am just an average boy living in Singapore...Naturally,id like to play computer games.However, ever since i was primary 6,i got really hooked to another activity:reading manga or Japanese comics(that are translated to English of course).I am not exactly proud of this hobby,however i believe reading comics has its own benefits as well.

Before i name them, i'd like to tell you why i even read these comics in the first place.I strongly believe that the mangaka(author) is superhuman.Not only he has to draw out each picture instead of just words,the way manga works is very different from a novelist.He has to rush out a chapter each week,that is 19 art works that that have to get you popular enough to survive(as the mangas are published chapter by chapter in magazines).And these storyline churned out are mucc\h better than any novels(at least of those i read)And te fact that they can present the story in pictures, they can get the audience to visualize the situation. The emotions in the book, such as humor and the tearjerker scenes have much better success as the emotions can be carried to the audience very effectively through the pictures(especially so when the author's artwork is awfully nice)
Another point where mangas stand out above novels is that the author can shift the audience's focus where he wants.By emphasizing on certain parts of the 'picture' he can get you to look at what he wants, this emphasis can also be used to bring out the emotions much more effectively.(another good trick he can use is to make you miss out on certain points he wants you to,and then mention those in the later part of the book,where you will flip back and see.It makes it more meaningful somehow)
Mangas you can gain a lot of general knowledge not easily obtain from what you usually learn.,this is not just a reason, ca vouch for this, i have found out many general knowledge and now appreciate several things more.(about Trepanation, serveral interesting ways the mind works, understand that crime is many time justifiable,how a court works,moral values,etc etc)So if you are interested,you can start by picking up a manga volume you find interesting anywhere!And enjoy!!(remember, it is read from up to down but right to left so it can be confusing at times.)



recomended reads(extremely long storylines though, so time commitment is needed:D )
1)one piece (FTW)
2)naruto
3)haime no ippo
4)bleach
5)fairy tail
6)kyou kara ore wa( a little different from the rest)
7)liar game(a little different from the rest)