{{Short description|Anti-Korean manga series by Sharin Yamano}} {{Use American English|date=December 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox animanga/Header | image = Kenkanryu cover.jpg | caption = Cover of the first volume | ja_kanji = マンガ 嫌韓流 | ja_romaji = Manga Kenkanryū | genre = [[Political fiction|Political]]<ref name=focus/><!-- Genres should be based on what reliable sources list them as and not on personal interpretations. Limit of the three most relevant genres in accordance with [[MOS:A&M]]. --> | creator = }} {{Infobox animanga/Print | type = manga | author = Sharin Yamano | publisher = [[Shin-yo-sha]] | imprint = Shin-yo-sha Mook | demographic = | magazine = | first = July 26, 2005 | last = March 19, 2015 | volumes = 10 | volume_list = }} {{Infobox animanga/Footer}} {{nihongo|'''''Manga Kenkanryu'''''|マンガ 嫌韓流|Manga Kenkanryū|extra='Hating the [[Korean Wave]]' or 'Hating the Korean Boom'|lead=yes}} is a Japanese [[manga]] series written and illustrated by Sharin Yamano. Originally a [[webcomic]] published on Yamano's website in 2003, [[Shin-yo-sha]] began publishing the manga in print in July 2005. They published ten print volumes, with the last volume being released in March 2015. The manga follows Kaname Okiayu as he discusses various [[Japan–Korea disputes]].
Following years of strained relations, in the 2000s, the Korean Wave gained prominence in Japan and helped Japan and South Korea improve their relations. Yamano, however, was not satisfied, believing that this trend was made up by the media. The manga's [[Anti-Korean sentiment in Japan|anti-Korean]] themes generated significant controversy both in Japan and abroad, with some describing ''Manga Kenkanryu'' as [[Japanese nationalism|nationalist]] and [[xenophobic]]. It has also been noted for helping to popularize internet right-wing movements in Japan. However, it had little impact on Japan–South Korea relations or the Korean Wave.
==Plot== Kaname Okiayu, a Japanese high school senior, learns about an alleged game-fixing scandal responsible for the winning streak of the South Korean soccer team during the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] and alleged unsportsmanlike behavior by their supporters. Okiayu becomes a college freshman, and he and his female classmate Itsumi Aramaki join the Far East Asia Investigation Committee ({{lang|ja|極東アジア調査會}}), an extracurricular group led by Ryūhei Sueyuki (a junior) and Tae Soeuchi (a sophomore).
The group is mainly devoted to the study of historical disputes between Japan and Korea and is very critical of the latter. Okiayu and Aramaki learn about various controversial perspectives on Koreans. The group participates in debates with a pro-Korean study group and a group of students visiting from South Korea, both depicted as ignorant of history and unable to make logical arguments, and rebuts their pro-Korean opinions, humiliating them.
The main topics of book include an alleged 2002 FIFA World Cup game scandal, Japanese compensation to Korea for colonial rule, opposition to [[Zainichi Koreans]] suffrage, alleged [[Japan–Korea disputes#Plagiarism of Japanese products|Korean plagiarism of Japanese culture]], criticism of pro-Korean mass media in Japan, criticism of [[Hangul]] (Korean alphabet), [[Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty|Japan–Korea Annexation]], [[Liancourt Rocks dispute]], and criticism of the [[Korean Wave]] and its immense popularity in Japan.
==Characters== ; {{nihongo|'''Kaname Okiayu'''|沖鮎 要|Okiayu Kaname}} : Originally an ordinary high school student believing that Japan had done bad things to Korea, and not particularly interested in history, his whose mind is changed after having a conversation with his grandfather. ; {{nihongo|'''Itsumi Aramaki'''|荒巻 いつみ|Aramaki Itsumi}} : She convinces Kaname to join the "Far East Asia Investigation Committee". ; {{nihongo|'''Kōichi Matsumoto'''|松本 光一|Matsumoto Kōichi}} : Kaname's best friend in high school, Kōichi is a [[Zainichi Korean]] who has a "troubling identity crisis". Within the story, he often tells Kaname and members of the committee that Koreans in Japan continue to experience discrimination. ; {{nihongo|'''Ryūhei Sueyuki'''|末行 隆平|Sueyuki Ryūhei}} : He is the vice-chairman of the Far East Asia Research Association. ; {{nihongo|'''Tae Soeuchi'''|添内 多枝|Soeuchi Tae}} : He is the chairman of the Far East Asia Research Association.
==Development==
===Context=== Following the end of [[World War II]] and the onset of the [[Japanese economic miracle]], nationalism declined as Japan tried to distance itself from the [[Empire of Japan|Imperial government]].<ref name=focus/><ref name=times/> Professor [[Jean-Pierre Lehmann]] noted that when the [[Japanese asset price bubble]] burst and China began to resurge economically, nationalism rose.<ref name=times/> During this time, [[Japan–South Korea relations|relations between Japan and South Korea]] were strained due to various issues stemming from Imperial Japan's actions leading up to the World War II, as well as territorial disputes.<ref name=times/> It was also noted that [[anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea]] remained prevalent, particularly with rap group [[DJ DOC]]'s song "F Japan".<ref name=times/>
In 2003, the [[Korean drama]] ''[[Winter Sonata]]'' was aired on Japanese television, which is credited with starting the [[Korean Wave]] in Japan; it led to increased interest in Korean culture. The two countries' governments also began promoting cultural exchanges.<ref name=focus/><ref name=vogel/> The Japanese media regularly reported on the trend.<ref name=focus/> During this time, the two countries were improving their relations, with [[Kim Dae-jung]] lifting the [[Censorship of Japanese media in South Korea|ban on Japanese cultural imports]] and the two countries jointly hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup.<ref name=ropers/>
Sharin Yamano is a [[pen name]] of the anonymous creator. He felt that the Korean Wave was the creation of the media and that anti-Korean sentiment was widespread among Japanese netizens. Yamano was inspired by [[Yoshinori Kobayashi]]'s ''[[Neo Gōmanism Manifesto Special – On War]]'' in creating the manga.<ref name=focus/>
===Publication=== Written and illustrated by Yamano, the series originated as a [[webcomic]] published on his website beginning in 2003.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Japanimanga and techno-orientalism|last=Cheon|first=Mina|author-link=Mina Cheon|date=2008|journal=ArtUS|issue=24–25|id={{Gale|A190890233}}}}</ref> [[Shin-yo-sha]] began publishing it in print on July 26, 2005.<ref name=ANN/> Several other publishes refused to publish it.<ref name=ANN/> Shin-yo-sha published ten volumes, with the last being released on March 19, 2015.<ref name=CBR/><ref name=vol10/> Several other writers, such as [[Kanji Nishio]] and {{ill|Takahiro Otsuki|ja|大月隆寛}}, also contributed to the series.<ref name=focus/>
Another work, titled ''{{ill|Manga Kenchugokuryu|ja|マンガ 嫌中国流}}'', where Yamano espouses anti-Chinese sentiments, was published.<ref name=CBR/> In 2005, [[Makoto Sakurai]] wrote ''Handbook Kenkanryu''. Illustrated by Yamano, it serves as a companion to the main series.<ref name=smith/>
==Analysis== Critics have described ''Manga Kenkanryu'' as [[Japanese nationalism|nationalist]] and [[xenophobic]].<ref name=focus/><ref name=nyt>{{cite web|title=Ugly Images of Asian Rivals Become Best Sellers in Japan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/19/world/asia/ugly-images-of-asian-rivals-become-best-sellers-in-japan.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|last=Onishi|first=Norimitsu|author-link=Norimitsu Onishi|date=November 19, 2005|access-date=April 22, 2014}}</ref> Scholars have noted that it simplifies many complex [[Japan–Korea disputes]] into [[In-group and out-group|"us" versus "them"]].<ref name=focus/><ref name=ropers>{{cite journal|title=Historical narrative and the misrepresentation of wartime labor recruitment in Kenkanryu|last=Ropers|first=Erik|date=April 2011|journal=Forum for World Literature Studies|volume=3|issue=1|page=70|id={{Gale|A287111987}}}}</ref> It has also been noted for leveraging fear of [[communism]].<ref name=ropers/> Historian [[Sheila Miyoshi Jager]] stated that the manga's content related to the [[Japanese colonization of Korea]] is a "gross oversimplification" and that it misunderstands its legacy.<ref name=times>{{cite web|title=Comics stoke Japan-Korea tension|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/HD21Dh01.html|website=[[Asia Times]]|last=Rusling|first=Matthew|date=April 21, 2006|access-date=December 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060421165630/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/HD21Dh01.html|archive-date=April 21, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Manga Kenkanryu''{{'}}s plot has been compared to [[Japanese history textbook controversies|efforts by Japanese nationalists to whitewash history textbooks]] and [[Controversies surrounding Yasukuni Shrine|controversial visits to the Yasukuni Shrine]].<ref name=focus/><ref>{{cite web|title=Comic twist to Japanese nationalism|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2006/1/25/comic-twist-to-japanese-nationalism|website=[[Al Jazeera]]|date=January 25, 2006|access-date=December 19, 2024}}</ref>
Critics have noted that the Japanese characters are drawn with Caucasian-like features, whereas the Korean characters are drawn with narrow eyes and distorted expressions, which have been described as "clearly Asian".<ref name=vogel/><ref name=CBR/> [[Norimitsu Onishi]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' noted that this aesthetic dates back to the [[Meiji Restoration]] in the 19th century, where Japanese intellectuals such as [[Yukichi Fukuzawa]] felt that the best way to resist Western colonial powers was to emulate them. Onishi also wrote that this aesthetic represents Japan's feelings of "superiority toward Asia and of inferiority toward the West".<ref name=nyt/>
==Reception== In Japan, the series received a mixed reception. Conservative newspaper ''[[Sankei Shimbun]]'' praised the work, stating that it has a "calm and balanced portrayal of Japanese-Korean issues", while liberal newspaper ''[[The Asahi Shimbun]]'' criticized Japanese society for popularizing the manga.<ref name=vogel>{{cite web|title=Japan's Cartoon Network|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2009/10/19/japans-cartoon-network/|website=[[Foreign Policy]]|last=Vogel|first=Steven K.|author-link=Steven K. Vogel|date=October 19, 2009|access-date=December 19, 2024}}</ref> ''[[Mainichi Shimbun]]'' refused to run advertisements for the manga.<ref name=ANN>{{cite web|title=Anti-Korean Manga Causes Controversy|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-08-16/anti-korean-manga-causes-controversy|website=[[Anime News Network]]|last=Macdonald|first=Christopher|date=August 16, 2005|access-date=December 19, 2024}}</ref> Manga artist [[Tetsuya Chiba]] criticized the manga, stating that he "apologizes on behalf of Japanese authors".<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ko:일만화 거장 지바 데쓰야 방한|url=https://www.donga.com/jp/article/all/20051003/289464/1?m=kor|website=[[The Dong-A Ilbo]]|date=October 3, 2005|access-date=December 19, 2024|language=ko}}</ref> Netizens on the textboard [[2channel]] supported the manga and its message.<ref name=focus>{{cite journal|title="Hating 'The Korean Wave'" Comic Books: A sign of New Nationalism in Japan?|url=https://apjjf.org/rumi-sakamoto/2535/article|journal=[[The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus]]|last1=Allen|first1=Matthew|last2=Sakamoto|first2=Rumi|volume=5|issue=10|date=October 1, 2007|access-date=December 19, 2024}}</ref><ref name=CBR>{{cite web|title=Manga Kenkanryu: The Manga That DARED to Hate K-Pop|url=https://www.cbr.com/manga-kenkanryu-anti-korean-japan/|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|last=Donohoo|first=Timothy|date=November 19, 2021|access-date=December 19, 2024}}</ref> The manga also helped popularize the {{Transliteration|ja|[[netto-uyoku]]}} (internet right-wing) movements.<ref name=smith>{{cite journal|title=Fights on the Right: Social Citizenship, Ethnicity, and Postwar Cohorts of the Japanese Activist Right|last=Smith|first=Nathaniel M.|date=2018|journal=[[Social Science Japan Journal]]|volume=21|issue=2|pages=261–283|doi=10.1093/ssjj/jyy015 |jstor=48557049}}</ref>
South Korea's three largest newspapers, ''[[The Chosun Ilbo]]'', ''[[The Dong-A Ilbo]]'', and ''[[JoongAng Ilbo]]'', all ran editorials criticizing the manga.<ref name=ANN/> A spokesperson for the [[Embassy of South Korea, London]] said "[''Manga Kenkanryu''] contained numerous factual errors and that it would be dangerous if Japanese readers treated the comics as an accurate view of the real world".<ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Leo|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/asia-travel/japan/neighbour-fails-to-see-funny-side-of-comic-tcjqpjwdmg7|title=Neighbour fails to see funny side of comic|website=[[The Times]]|date=November 1, 2005|access-date=September 15, 2019}}</ref> South Korean writer Yang Byeong-sol wrote a book, titled ''The Anti-Japan Wave'', in response to ''Manga Kenkanryu'', though it failed to garner attention in South Korea or Japan.<ref name=CBR/>
The first volume sold 300,000 copies within three months of its release.<ref name=vogel/> As of 2015, the series has 1 million copies in circulation.<ref name=vol10>{{cite web|script-title=ja:マンガ 大嫌韓流|url=http://www.shinyusha.co.jp/~top/02mook/daikenkanryu.htm|publisher=[[Shin-yo-sha]]|access-date=December 19, 2024|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924101325/http://www.shinyusha.co.jp/~top/02mook/daikenkanryu.htm|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Lawsuit=== The third volume of ''Manga Kenkanryu'' discusses the {{ill|murder of Lucie Blackman|ja|ルーシー・ブラックマン事件}} and its alleged perpetrator, [[Joji Obara]], who is of Korean descent. Obara sued Yamano for defamation and breach of privacy following its publication. On March 5, 2009, the [[Tokyo High Court]] ruled that, while the benefits of including of Obara's ethnic background outweighed the privacy risk, Yamano's description nonetheless constituted an invasion of privacy and ordered Yamano to pay Obara {{yen|200,000}}.<ref>{{cite magazine|script-title=ja:在日と書かれてマンガ「嫌韓流」を訴えた「織原城二」|magazine=[[Shūkan Shinchō]]|volume=53|issue=13|date=April 3, 2008|page=56|issn=0488-7484}}</ref>
===Impact=== Despite the controversy, the manga had little impact on Japan–South Korea relations or the Korean Wave.<ref name=focus/><ref name=times/><ref name=vogel/> Scholars Matthew Allen and Rumi Sakamoto doubted that it actually influenced views of young Japanese people.<ref name=focus/> Journalist [[Steven K. Vogel]] wrote "[''Manga Kenkanryu''] may be able to pique the curiosity of some comic book lovers and Net surfers, but they cannot stop Japanese housewives from pining for Korean soap opera stars" and pointed out that a majority of Japanese people still viewed Korea positively.<ref name=vogel/>
==See also== {{Portal|Japan|History|Anime and manga}} * [[Kō Bun'yū]] and [[George Akiyama]], who wrote a manga with anti-Chinese themes * [[Rhie Won-bok]], a manhwa artist whose work has been accused of antisemitism * [[Racism in Japan]] * [[Zaitokukai]], an anti-Korean organization
==References== {{reflist}}
==Further reading== * {{cite journal|first=Nicola|last=Liscutin|title=Surfing the Neo-Nationalist Wave: A Case Study of ''Manga Kenkanryū''|issue=10|journal=Cultural Studies and Cultural Industries in Northeast Asia: What a Difference a Region Makes|publisher=[[Hong Kong University Press]]|date=May 1, 2009|doi=10.5790/hongkong/9789622099746.003.0011 |isbn=9789622099753}}
==External links== * {{webarchive|title=Official website|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218023510/http://www.shinyusha.co.jp/~kenkanryu/|date=December 18, 2005}} {{in lang|ja}} * {{Anime News Network|manga|6106|noparen=true}}
[[Category:Anime and manga controversies]] [[Category:Anti-South Korean sentiment in Japan]] [[Category:Japanese nationalism]] [[Category:Japanese webcomics]] [[Category:Politics in anime and manga]] [[Category:Webcomics in print]]