Manga and other comics

It can be said that I grow with manga, because when I was a kid, in the late '70s, animated series of Japanese authors were first represented on television, starting with Go Nagai's Goldrake to Miyazaki's Conan, but only in the latest years Italian editors started interesting in the publishing of manga.

Nowadays there are still too few publications in my country, and lately Granata press went bankrupt leaving a good amount of comics unfinished. Besides, stupid people (I'm referring to the "beloved" Alessandra Valeri Manera of Channel 5 in particular) have taken control of anime serial representation, and, thinking that for children, who can see in the midday news, just before comics, people dying on line, a kiss is pornography, censor Orange Road's Madoka in bikini at the beach, and not content change all the theme songs which were the soundtrack of my youth in order to sell records.

After this owed pamphlet, let me talk about my interests: I am a keen fan of Hayao Miyazaki, although in Italy only Conan serial and Nausicaä OAV were represented on television. The Nausicaä's manga was published by the above mentioned Granata Press, that published only some copies of the last number, so, if there is somebody so kind to send me a copy of the end of the story (in Italian or English), I would be forever grateful.

Another favorite artist of mine is Masakazu Katsura, of whom I prefer VideoGirlAi and the recent Shadow Lady: in particular the end of VGA was able to make me, a 28 years old young man of 1.93, cry, as many of my friends did too.

Izumi Matsumoto's Kimagure Orange Road instead made me look at my past in a more melancholy way, and resurrected emotions by now buried in the cairn of my memories.

Rumiko Takahashi's Uruseiatsura, was perhaps the first tv serial in Italy which involved teenager's sex under an ironic point of view, and probably would not be shown again in my country, but Ranma 1/2 is a valid substitute, and not yet censored; Maison Ikkoku I use to watch when I was yet grown up, each day during breakfast, just before going at university, and Kyoko pictures perfectly my ideal of wife.

Yamato has been part of my younger years too, together with Harlock and other stories as 999-express, and my interest in role playing games, together with love for fantasy books moved me to the chronicles of Lodoss war: I would read with pleasure the books by Ryo Mizuno, so if there is an English (I do not dare Italian) edition of them and you know, please contact me.

I do not disdain even erotic mangas, my favorite author being Takayosi Sano, in whom works gentleness and sensitivity merges perfectly with ironic circumstances.

I am the eldest member of Shinkansen Club, the first club of manga lovers in my hometown, Trieste, and during sittings I have adopted the nickname of Lord Yupa (see Miyazaki's Nausicaä if you do not know him) which I think fits me well, both for my temper and for my moustaches.

Obviously mangas are not the only comics present in Italy and there are many others made in my country that I do appreciate: in particular "Ken Parker" by Berardi & Milazzo, which with its water colours describe poetically the world of trappers, cowboys and redskins without falling into commonplaces; This together with Milo Manara's erotic stories, Hugo Pratt's Corto Maltese and Carlos Trillo short stories are all worth reading, if you haven't yet.

A particular mention goes to PK, a brand new comic in Italy, of which the non-official page is hosted by me. If you want to take a look click on PK.