Manga(漫画)

1. Today's Japanese words

Some basic Japanese vocabulary related to anime and manga:

* **Anime (アニメ)**: Animation

* **Manga (漫画)**: Comics, graphic novels

* **Comic (コミック)**: Comic book (can also refer to American comics)

* **Characuter (キャラクター)**: Character

* **Hero (ヒーロー)**: Hero

* **Heroine (ヒロイン)**: Heroine

* **Story (ストーリー)**: Story

* **Genre (ジャンル)**: Genre

* **Seiyū (声優)**: Voice actor

 * **Nekochan (猫ちゃん)**: Cute cat (lit. little cat) - a term often used to describe cute female characters with cat-like features

 * **Shonen (少年)**: Manga aimed at boys (lit. boy)

 * **Shojo (少女)**: Manga aimed at girls (lit. young girl)

* **Mecha (メカ)**: Giant robots

* **Moe (萌え)**: Intense affection for a character

* **Tsundere (ツンデレ)**: A character who is initially cold or hostile but warms up to others over time

* **Yandere (ヤンデレ)**: A character who is initially sweet and caring but later reveals a dark or obsessive side

2. Today's topic

Manga(漫画)

Manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. They are incredibly popular in Japan, with people of all ages and genders enjoying them. There's a wide range of genres available, from romance to sci-fi, ensuring there's something for everyone. You'll find manga readily available in bookstores and even convenience stores throughout Japan.

Manga has exploded in popularity beyond Japan in recent decades. The United States, for example, has a thriving manga market, with manga accounting for a significant portion of the comic book and graphic novel market. Other countries with strong manga followings include France, Germany, and Brazil. The global manga market is expected to continue growing in the coming years, driven by factors such as the increasing popularity of graphic novels and the wide variety of genres available.

Manga enjoys immense popularity across Asia. Here's a quick look:

* **South Korea:** Manhwa, the Korean term for comics, shares some similarities with manga but has its own distinct style and themes.

* **China:** Manhua, the Chinese term for comics, has a long history and is experiencing a resurgence in recent years.

* **Southeast Asia:** Many Southeast Asian countries have a large and growing manga readership, with Singapore and Thailand being particularly strong markets.

3- Today’s news

Japanese manga artist Akira Toriyama, globally famous for 'Dragon Ball,' dies at 68

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240308/p2a/00m/0na/020000c

In Photos: Famous Japanese manga artist Akira Toriyama dies at 68

https://mainichi.jp/english/graphs/20240308/hpe/00m/0na/001000g/20240308hpe00m0na002000q