Manga NAME Practicals 2: “BONOLON the Forest Warrior” – Japanese Manga 101 #034
11/09/2015
6 min read
I guess many of you are working hard on your SMA04 entries!
I’m sure this 5 minute video will help you boost your Manga creativity with the actual manga name. So let’s begin!
In the picture book Bonolon, there is a villain called Zunga. He discovers mine full of magical crystal, underneath the village. In order to keep it all for himself, he poisons to the village well, to make all the villagers fall ill.
Here is the evil Zunga in Manga NAME style.
Based on his shop’s appearance, interior, and all the weapons lying around, we can clearly see that he is a weapons merchant.
The story is that swords made from the magic crystal can cut through anything. In the picture book, he was a general merchant of many things. But in the manga version, he has been changed to a weapons merchant, to make his character and motivations clearer. And while in the picture book, he was a thin, cunning man. He has been changed to a tubby, comical figure in the manga.
Since he is an important character, it’s important to give him an appearance and movements, that leave an impression on the readers.
At the end of this scene, he looks at a mysterious bottle on his shelf and smirks. Instead of using a lot of dialogue, the manga relies on these subtle movements, to make the readers want to turn the page. Yes, the HIKI-GOMA in action again.
Next is the scene where Lemo’s mother passes away from her illness. Since this is an incredibly sad scene, various expressions and actions are used to show Lemo’s sadness and loneliness.
At the same time, you can also see how kindly the other villagers treat Lemo. This is a foreshadowing of Lemo’s final wish.
Continuing on, we see Zunga in the underground mines, discovering the magical crystal, and talking of his evil plans. This scene is to show the readers how amazing the crystal is, and Zunga’s extreme greed.
Time passes, and in a new scene, and we hear the villagers are in shock, saying that Lemo is also sick.
It’s only 3 panels, but here the acting and lines by the villagers are very effectively used, to show the reader that the Lemo is finally also ill, and will probably die soon. The sad reaction of the villagers, is very clearly illustrated.
And then, in front of the giant camphor tree, and her mother’s grave, Lemo whispers “Mother…” and closes her eyes…
Suddenly, there’s a great disturbance: the camphor tree rustles, leaves and fruit from the forest form a giant maelstrom
…Out of the center of this maelstrom, steps a giant orange figure.
Lemo’s eyes widen in amazement.
Ba-bah! The Forest Warrior Bonolon makes his dramatic entrance! Bonolon is a “forest fairy”, and the manga NAME makes use of the setting.
In this scene, you can see how various objects found in the forest come together to form Bonolon’s body. Earlier in the story, we saw Lemo’s mother making a wish, and her tears falling onto the roots of the great tree. This scene is connected to that wish.
Will this giant forest fairy take on Lemo’s mother’s last wish, and save Lemo? You have to read on to find out!
Next time, we’ll finally be getting to the climax of the manga, and the final part of the explanation.
GOT IT?
What will become of Lemo and her mother? Next time, we’ll continue looking at “Forest Warrior Bonolon”, as we explain the techniques used in the Manga NAME!
In the picture book Bonolon, there is a villain called Zunga. He discovers mine full of magical crystal, underneath the village. In order to keep it all for himself, he poisons to the village well, to make all the villagers fall ill.
Here is the evil Zunga in Manga NAME style.
Based on his shop’s appearance, interior, and all the weapons lying around, we can clearly see that he is a weapons merchant.
The story is that swords made from the magic crystal can cut through anything. In the picture book, he was a general merchant of many things. But in the manga version, he has been changed to a weapons merchant, to make his character and motivations clearer. And while in the picture book, he was a thin, cunning man. He has been changed to a tubby, comical figure in the manga.
Since he is an important character, it’s important to give him an appearance and movements, that leave an impression on the readers.
At the end of this scene, he looks at a mysterious bottle on his shelf and smirks. Instead of using a lot of dialogue, the manga relies on these subtle movements, to make the readers want to turn the page. Yes, the HIKI-GOMA in action again.
Next is the scene where Lemo’s mother passes away from her illness. Since this is an incredibly sad scene, various expressions and actions are used to show Lemo’s sadness and loneliness.
At the same time, you can also see how kindly the other villagers treat Lemo. This is a foreshadowing of Lemo’s final wish.
Continuing on, we see Zunga in the underground mines, discovering the magical crystal, and talking of his evil plans. This scene is to show the readers how amazing the crystal is, and Zunga’s extreme greed.
Time passes, and in a new scene, and we hear the villagers are in shock, saying that Lemo is also sick.
It’s only 3 panels, but here the acting and lines by the villagers are very effectively used, to show the reader that the Lemo is finally also ill, and will probably die soon. The sad reaction of the villagers, is very clearly illustrated.
And then, in front of the giant camphor tree, and her mother’s grave, Lemo whispers “Mother…” and closes her eyes…
Suddenly, there’s a great disturbance: the camphor tree rustles, leaves and fruit from the forest form a giant maelstrom
…Out of the center of this maelstrom, steps a giant orange figure.
Lemo’s eyes widen in amazement.
Ba-bah! The Forest Warrior Bonolon makes his dramatic entrance! Bonolon is a “forest fairy”, and the manga NAME makes use of the setting.
In this scene, you can see how various objects found in the forest come together to form Bonolon’s body. Earlier in the story, we saw Lemo’s mother making a wish, and her tears falling onto the roots of the great tree. This scene is connected to that wish.
Will this giant forest fairy take on Lemo’s mother’s last wish, and save Lemo? You have to read on to find out!
Next time, we’ll finally be getting to the climax of the manga, and the final part of the explanation.
GOT IT?
What will become of Lemo and her mother? Next time, we’ll continue looking at “Forest Warrior Bonolon”, as we explain the techniques used in the Manga NAME! RELATED ARTICLES :
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