What is the best manga to recommend to my Mother?

Question

OK, so I accidently left one of my mangas at my Mother's when I went to stay. She read it (I'm fairly sure the wrong way) decided it was rubbish and threw it away (haven't quite forgiven her yet).

I want to prove to her that manga can have as much depth as a 'normal' book. I want suggestions of the best series to start her on, nothing too violent or too silly. My aim is to convert her and much more importantly prove my point (a little juvenile I know, but I feel she is missing out by being a snob).

Answer 1

You're completely right in believing that manga can have just as much depth as a "normal" book.

Suggesting something that your mother will like is rather challenging, especially since I have no idea what "normal" books she likes or what genres she prefers. Before actually letting her read a manga, be sure that you've read it and think it is something she'll like.

Here are some suggestions, based on the idea that you're looking for something not too violent or silly and something with a bit of depth. Most of my suggestions are Shoujo, simply because there tends to be less of the violence, nudity, etc.

Tokyo Babylon - by CLAMP: Honestly, if you don't mind the violence, X (or X/1999 as it's known in the states) would be the better choice. It's got the most depth. BUT, if you want something with all the depth of X, but less violence, then Tokyo Babylon is an excellent choice. It's a tragic tale, but very moving. If you still think it may be too intense, try out one of Clamp's other works like Angelic Layer, Clamp School Detectives or The Legend of Chun Hyang.

Shirahime-Syo by CLAMP: Okay, I put this one as a suggestion all on its own, because it's really very good. It reads like a literary work, and is visually stunning. I'd be very surprised if this one didn't convince her. It's similar to the folk tales you'd read in school, only 1000 times better.

Imadoki - by Yuu Watase : Now, I could have suggested something like Fushigi Yugi, Ceres or Alice 19th, which are more popular and all by the same author, but I selected Imadoki because it isn't as long a series and it deals with themes & issues of high school, growing up & etc. It's mature, and your mother may appreciate the way Watase delicately opens these issues for discussion without being trashy.

Return to Labyrinth by Jake T. Forbes and Chris Lie: If your mom liked the original film, what better way to show her just how important manga is than to show how an official sequel to a film can be a manga?

I hope you like these suggestions. If you don't think she'll go for at least one of these, post again & I'll try to help brainstorm some more :)

Answer 2

Trust me, I have a lot of experience with this stuff. You do NOT want to show her anything with to much violence, profanity, or nudity, so nothing rated over younger teen. Try something that like Fruits Basket to soften her up, since it also come in anime, so make a movie night where you two can watch it and compare. Next, try some emotional comedy, like Tokyo Mew Mew, Full Moon o Sagashite or Imadoki Nowadays. This gets adults good and ready for violence, but progress slowly. Try something both comedic and slightly graphic, like Full Metal Alchemist, Eureka 7, or Shaman King. Now add some drama like Tokyo Babylon. However, if they don't take to it, give up and keep your manga stashed in a good, safe place. Adults don't often like manga and view it as a comic book, but many times they will compromise as long as you still read some "normal" books as well. ^-^

Answer 3

Just one question: Did your mother read the book the right way? from right to left? anyway here are some mangas you could recommend

Fruits Basket
Naruto
Sailor Moon
Full Metal Alchemist I guess...
The Prince of Tennis
Whistle
Jeanne
Skip Beat

those are all pretty normal mangas except 4 sailor moon and full metal alchemist

Answer 4

Naruto most definately. Sailor Moon is okay, but Naruto all the way. It is easy reading and it gives depth. It also has a way like a fantasy book. Try having her watch a show first and don't tell her it came from manga then give her the companion to the show that she watched. Proving it was manga first.

Answer 5

Start with anime, on the big screen.
Most women do not understand animation. Men are more visually orientated, and become engrossed quicker.
My girlfriend was the one who introduced me to Hayao Miyazaki.
Tortorro, Nasicca, and that one about a girl who spends her summers working on a farm. And Kiki's Delivery Service.
Loved them all even Porco Rosso. I'm sure your Mum will too.
Then you can start introducing some violence and see where her tolerance level is.
Just don't show her LA Blue Girl.

Answer 6

those are a number of my favorites: Ares Hajime No Ippo Samurai Deeper Kyo Berserk Gamaran Noblesse Blade of the Immortal Air equipment King Of Hell Karate Shoukoushi Kohinata Minoru

Answer 7

I think i would have to say that some deep mangas are Inuyasha, Sailor Moon, Digimon, Princess Mononoke, and Naruto.

***I also want to say i really don't know the difference between anime and manga, so some of the above may be anime. But i hope it helps.

Answer 8

You might want to let her read Kare Kano: His and her circumstances. The main characters all change and develop during the series. Also, the author states that many adults (mostly women) read the series. It has also been made into an anime.

Answer 9

Maison Ikku is a good bet but never ever Naruto, its about a bunch of twelve year olds training to be killers. try a gentler one and from what I've read Maison Ikku is a good one. Try getting one that fits the programmes she watches, mystery, romance etc. or the genre she enjoys most.

Answer 10

I think that fruits basket would be the thing to get your mom to read because fruits basket contains a lot of romance and it has a good point in every chapter or a good true saying. Not lot of magic in it. But if your mom likes magic and fantsy I suggest inuyasha