Military Goes Manga
The United States military has just published “Our Alliance – A Lasting Partnership”, an on-line manga to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the American/Japanese security treaty. The event also coincides with the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
The U.S. military chose the manga format because it’s “a very common way of communicating in Japan,” Maj. Neal Fisher, deputy director of public affairs for U.S. forces in Japan, told Agence France-Presse.
“A lot of people love manga. … Manga is a very lighthearted way to carry information” on where the U.S. bases are, what they are doing and how they are cooperating with the Japanese forces, Fisher said.
The U.S.-funded comics debut also comes amid strained ties between Washington and Tokyo over the presence of American Marines 0n the Japanese island of Okinawa. A row over plans to relocate a U.S. airfield on the island toppled Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama after he broke a campaign promise to move U.S. troops off Okinawa.
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I wonder if the popularity of Axis Powers Hetalia have played a part in the creation of the series. Manga is very lighthearted? I see they haven’t read too many mature manga.
I just hope the U.S. doesn’t try to hide certain facts & information from Japanese kids.