Many people assume that comics and manga are two separate entities and for the most part they can be, however that doesn’t mean that they have to.
The biggest example of this being My Hero Academia, recent controversy aside, This manga has been no stranger to referencing the world of Western Comics be it in the chapters themselves or in the artwork.
In the image above it can clearly been seen as the Main Character Izuku Midoriya being drawn not just in a different art style all together but rather one could stretch this to reference the tendrils often seen on characters from the Marvel Universe that are bonded to a symbiote such as Venom or Carnage.
See, The image is there and anyone who reads both Manga and Western Comics can make this assumption and while it doesn’t have to be said or stated, the inspiration can be seen from here or from other characters of the like!
Sometimes even poses can have an effect on Manga especially in My Hero,
The colored starting page for the same chapter 230 can be shown to take inspiration from Western Comics, The design is inherently western in it’s design from placement of the image, barcode, title, the square that indicates the issue and who the publisher is. Hell one could say that Froppy (the character in the image) is doing a Spider-Man pose however that is a bit of stretch as she does have frog based powers and frogs also need to sit in similar positions, HOWEVER if we take a look at this image:
Need I say more?
Western Comics and Manga are always going to take inspiration from one another as the very foundation of Narrative Illustration is the same, no matter the region, even the WEBTOONs format which is Manhwa is the basic premise of telling stories with images.
While these four images may not be enough to really drive the point across it is important to note that there are countless references ESPECIALLY in My Hero Academia as that is the whole premise of the story which is, What if people became legitimate superheroes.
To finish things off we have to talk about the biggest reference to Western Comics in the whole series:
Now, Did I really have to use so many panels and images? No. Did I want to? Of Course. Presenting here is the Number 1 hero in the story until he ultimately retires is All Might. He had been the symbol of peace in this society but he is also a massive Western Comics reference. While in universe he actively calls his special moves (all of them are just punches with tiny differences) after US States and Cities he is literally their Superman, with this text box to showcase:
He is the Japanese Superman in this world and just everything about him screams Western influences.
In the end, please go read this story while it does have it’s lackluster moments and some could argue the whole series is that way, I personally enjoyed it, I have been Anthony and I will see you in the next one!
