The global popularity of manga has grown so much over the past few decades that it is no longer limited to just Japan. Once seen as a cultural product tied only to its home country, manga has become a worldwide phenomenon, with fans, artists, and publishers emerging across continents.
Recently, the Chief of Kadokawa’s Overseas Manga Department spoke about this very subject, saying that manga does not need to be made in Japan to truly be considered manga. This statement has sparked new discussions about how the definition of manga is evolving and how the medium is becoming more universal.
For many years, there has been debate over what can and cannot be called manga. Traditionalists have argued that manga must originate from Japan, be created by Japanese authors, and be published by Japanese companies. However, with the rise of digital platforms and global fandoms, many artists outside Japan have adopted the manga style of storytelling and illustration.
Their works are often inspired by Japanese manga, but they bring unique perspectives and cultural influences from their own backgrounds. According to Kadokawa’s overseas chief, these works should also be recognized as manga because what matters most is the art style, the storytelling techniques, and the passion behind the work, not simply the place where it was created.
Kadokawa is one of the biggest publishing companies in Japan, with a major role in spreading manga around the world. The company has long been at the center of international licensing, anime adaptations, and digital distribution. For an executive from Kadokawa to openly state that manga does not have to be Japanese in origin shows how the industry itself is starting to embrace the idea of manga as a global art form.
This reflects the reality of today’s market, where fans consume manga from many sources, and where international artists are contributing to its growth.
Eren From Attack on Titan (Credits: Attack on Titan Franchise)
Kadokawa Executive States Manga Doesn’t Need to Be Made in Japan
One reason behind this shift is the enormous rise of digital platforms. Online websites and apps allow creators from anywhere in the world to publish their work instantly, reaching readers across borders. Some of these non-Japanese manga-inspired works have gained millions of readers, showing that fans care more about the quality of the story and the art rather than the nationality of the creator. Kadokawa has recognized this trend and sees the potential in supporting overseas creators who can expand the reach of manga even further.
Another factor is the blending of cultures in modern storytelling. Many young artists worldwide have grown up reading Japanese manga and watching anime. They have absorbed its style of paneling, pacing, and character design, but when they create their own works, they add their personal voices and cultural experiences.
This fusion creates something fresh while still being rooted in the essence of manga. The Kadokawa executive’s statement suggests that the industry is ready to value these contributions equally, rather than dismissing them as imitations or something lesser.
For fans, this idea is exciting because it opens the door to more diversity in manga. Stories can now come from creators in countries like South Korea, France, the United States, India, or Brazil, while still carrying the heart and style of Japanese manga. Readers get to experience different settings, traditions, and social themes through a familiar format.
It also means that aspiring artists outside Japan can feel encouraged that their work has a place within the global manga community, instead of feeling excluded by strict definitions.
Manga Recognized as a Global Art Form Beyond Its Japanese Origins
Kadokawa’s willingness to support this idea may also change how overseas works are promoted and distributed. If publishers actively recognize non-Japanese manga as part of the same category, more international creators may get chances to publish with Japanese companies or collaborate with them.
This could create a stronger connection between Japan and the global community, making manga even more influential and accessible than it already is.
Isagi From Blue Lock (Credits: Blue Lock Franchise)
Ultimately, the statement that manga does not need to be made in Japan to be manga reflects the reality of how the medium has grown. Manga has become a global language of storytelling, understood and loved by people everywhere.
While Japan will always remain the birthplace of manga, its spirit has spread across the world. The creativity of international artists is not a threat to this tradition but a way to expand and enrich it. Kadokawa’s recognition of this truth shows that the future of manga will be more inclusive, diverse, and international than ever before.
This shift in thinking marks a new chapter for manga’s history. No longer seen only as a Japanese cultural export, it is becoming a global art form shaped by countless voices. Fans around the world can celebrate that their favorite medium is open to everyone, and creators can feel that their stories truly belong to the larger world of manga, no matter where they are from.
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One Piece 1160 Spoilers
Spoilers are provided by Aboude88
- Continuation of God Valley from previous chapter.
- The Hunting Game at God Valley Begins.
- Near the end of the chapter Rocks arrives at God Valley.
- Break Next Week
ADDITIONAL SPOILERS FOR ONE PIECE 1160
Luffy Punched Saint Charlos, a Celestial Dragon, in One Piece Chapter 502 & One Piece Episode 396. This time, we witness Dragon hitting a Celestial Dragon in Chapter 1160, which brings back memories. YEAHHHHH.
We get an introduction of all the god’s knight, like how shichibukai’s were introduced.
One Piece Chapter 1160 Summary: “The God Valley Incident”
ONE PIECE 1160: ‘THE GOD VALLEY INCIDENT’.
COVER: Yamato visits Oden’s shrine.
It’s revealed that the Davy family are Buccaneers. Blackbeard’s mother appears for the first time with him; she is described as messy.
Shanks and Shamrock’s mother asks Dragon to take care of her children’s future.
The Celestial Dragons start the hunting game. Dragon shoots one Celestial Dragon to protect Kuma.
The chapter has some redraws from Chapter 1096 in Rocks Pirates, Roger Pirates, and Garp Arrival in God Valley.
All God Knights are introduced in the chapter; a new one is like a Yeti with horns.
At the end of the chapter, Dragon saves Shamrock and Shanks.
BREAK NEXT WEEK.
GOD VALLEY IS HERE!
Additional Spoilers & Updates
The Davy Clan are Buccaneers, including Blackbeard. (thread by writingpanini)
“Meet Captain Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard.” “The Buccaneer’s Heart holds the spirits of the most notorious swashbucklers.”
God Valley is building up on everything that we will experience in the current timeline.
Sommers’ defeat will be satisfying. Dragon & Shamrock reunion in Marie Geoise will be epic.
———-writingpanini thread concluded———-
– At 17, Dragon shot a Celestial Dragon over Kuma
– At 17, Luffy punched a Celestial Dragon over Hatchan
– The Celestial Dragons game(rabbit hunt) in God Valley is very brutal.
– We even see Summer slaughtering children with his devil fruit…
– Teach mother is very beautiful even with “messy” hair. Gonna surprise lot of people.
DETAILED SUMMARY
More details of the chapter by Redon. Chapter of 17 pages.
Chapter 1,160: “God Valley Incident”
Ogre Child Yamato’s Golden Harvest Surrogate Pilgrimage, Vol. 42: “Yamato standing at Oden’s shrine above the Flower Capital”.
Chapter starts where last one ended. The master of ceremonies brought 8-9 members of the “Davy Clan” to the stage. Kid Teach and his mom were 2 of them, Teach’s mom looked a lot to Robin/Olvia but with messy hair. Two men of the “Davy Clan” were very big.
Tenryuubito in the audience were enraged throwing knives and axes to the “Davy Clan” slaves and saying “Davy Clan” was a despised lineage. One of the Tenryuubito even said “You are “Buccaneers” too, aren’t you!!?” but no important character confirm that information in this chapter.
Kid Teach looked terrified at the Tenryuubito in the audience while his mom tried to protect him from the things Tenryuubito were throwing. Master of ceremonies tried to stop Tenryuubito saying if one of the slaves die in the stage they will be penalized.
Prize presentation ended and “Hunting Game” started. We see many pages showing Tenryuubito and “Knights of God” killing people in God Valley. Dragon saw Kuma and Ivankov talking and then he saw a Tenryuubito about to shoot Kuma, so Dragon shoot at that Tenryuubito first to save Kuma.
Then, in a FUCKING EPIC double page, we see Rocks Pirates arrival to God Valley!! This scene takes place just before the scene we saw in chapter 1,096. Rocks Pirates were arguing about how they would rescue Shakky.
Rocks: “Hear me out boys!! Here they have “SHAKKY”, “TREASURES”, and “DEVIL FRUITS”!!! What good will infighting do us!? Let’s cooperate with each other for now!! And once we get back, we will split them up fair and square!!! Sounds good!!?”
Barbel: “How the hell we gonna split up Shakky!?”
Shiki: “Obviously she will fall for the guy who helped her the most!!”
Kyo: “You are damn right! So stay away all of you!!!” John: “Nope, Shakky will fall for the guy who ends up with the most treasures!!”
Newgate: “Do what you want. I’m just going to save her as a friend. Although… I wouldn’t mind her falling in love with me either.”
Stussy: “What!? What the hell do you mean by that Newgate!!”
Gloriosa: “If I save Shakky… I suppose Roger will thank me… but… Hmm??”
Streusen: “Wang Zhi is staying on the island and forbids anyone from entering the Bar!!”
Linlin: “What a bunch of idiots. Even if the world ends tomorrow Shakky won’t turns toward any of you!!”
Kaidou: “Linlin!! Are you actually going to give me the Devil Fruit?”
During the chaos created by the arrival of Rocks Pirates, Dragon manages to rescue the twins babies.
Then we see the Roger Pirates arrival to God Valley. This scene takes place just after the scene we saw in chapter 1,096. Roger said he’s going to rescue Shakky and ordered his crewmates to go for the treasures. But Roger Pirates trampled Roger and went to take back Shakky first looool
Then we see “Knights of God” presentation (that’s english official name). We see exactly the same scene that we saw in chapter 1,096 but now that panel is a full page. In addition to the “Knights of God” we saw in chapter 1,096 now we can see 2 new members.
First one is a huge creature similar to a yeti with horns and wings.
Second one is a big woman with horns, sharp fangs and black/white messy hair. She wore sunglasses and smoked a cigar. This woman looked a lot like Killingham but we don’t know yet if they are related.
Marines in God Valley were unable to stop all pirates who were arriving from all directions. But chapter ends with another EPIC double page with “Garp’s Fleet” arrival to God Valley!! Garp used his “Meteor Fist” to attack some pirates from his ship while Marine soldiers in the island cried with emotion for the arrival of reinforcements…
End of chapter, BREAK next week.
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“One Piece” is a beloved Japanese manga and anime series that chronicles the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew. Luffy, imbued with rubber powers from a mystical fruit Hito Hito no Mi, aspires to become the Pirate King. To achieve this, he seeks the ultimate treasure, the “One Piece,” hidden at the Grand Line’s end. Along the journey, Luffy gathers a diverse crew, confronts formidable foes, and uncovers world-altering secrets, all while promoting themes of friendship, freedom, and adventure.
