Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
Moderators: General Help, Kanzenshuu Staff
-
- Banned
- Posts: 136
- Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2019 6:04 pm
Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
Okay, leaving aside the question of whether comic books are even literature to begin with, do you think it's somewhat contradictory for someone to read DB, and say, a work of more cultural relevance? Is it okay to read Dostoiévski and Toriyama at the ''same time'', or that's just insane? Does one exclude the other?
What do you think?
What do you think?
- ABED
- Namekian Warrior
- Posts: 20286
- Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2013 10:23 am
- Location: Skippack, PA
- Contact:
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
What do you take to be literature?
The biggest truths aren't original. The truth is ketchup. It's Jim Belushi. Its job isn't to blow our minds. It's to be within reach.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take - Wayne Gretzky" - Michael Scott
Happiness is climate, not weather.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take - Wayne Gretzky" - Michael Scott
Happiness is climate, not weather.
-
- Banned
- Posts: 136
- Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2019 6:04 pm
- It_Is_Ayna_You_Flips
- Regular
- Posts: 740
- Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2020 7:16 pm
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
Why would one exclude the other? Even among "deep" classics there's a lot of diversity in style. The flowery and meditative prose of Herman Melville is held in the exact same high regard that John Steinbeck's more down to Earth and simple prose is. There are no hard and fast rules as to what equals quality and, generally speaking, people want different things from differen stories/mediums.Witty User Name wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 5:37 pm Okay, leaving aside the question of whether comic books are even literature to begin with, do you think it's somewhat contradictory for someone to read DB, and say, a work of more cultural relevance? Is it okay to read Dostoiévski and Toriyama at the ''same time'', or that's just insane? Does one exclude the other?
A good example is Cats the musical. The story is rubbish. Nonsensical bullshit which makes sense as it's based on a book of poems a guy wrote while coming off a 100 degree fever (I think. That may just be one of those literary stories everyone hears but can't verify). But people don't go to it to see a grand opera. They go because they want to see the amazing choreography, singing, and costumes. It's a celebration of what makes musical theater different from other forms of theater and an oppurtunity for talented actors to show off their diverse skillset. It's gaudy and set to stupid lyrics but that doesn't make it "worse" than a more political musical like Cabaret. It just means that Cats was going for something else.
My opinions suck. You should probably mute me to spare yourself having to see them.
"If someone gets Star Wars wrong? Death threats. If a kid learns that a shitty song they liked when they were 12 was a cover of a song made in 1984? Death threats. If someone makes a Sonic game that's too dark and edgy? Death threats. If someone makes a Sonic game that isn't too dark and edgy? Death threats. If someone criticizes Naruto? Lots of death threats. Sexualizes pokemon? UNIVERSAL PRAISE." - Plague of Gripes
"If someone gets Star Wars wrong? Death threats. If a kid learns that a shitty song they liked when they were 12 was a cover of a song made in 1984? Death threats. If someone makes a Sonic game that's too dark and edgy? Death threats. If someone makes a Sonic game that isn't too dark and edgy? Death threats. If someone criticizes Naruto? Lots of death threats. Sexualizes pokemon? UNIVERSAL PRAISE." - Plague of Gripes
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
Nobody has to feel insecure about reading Dragon Ball or enjoying children's media as long as that's not the only thing they do. They're not mutually exclusive or else I'd have been kicked out from my master's course by this point because I'd rather read Dragon Ball than most of the authors I study.
- ABED
- Namekian Warrior
- Posts: 20286
- Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2013 10:23 am
- Location: Skippack, PA
- Contact:
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
If your definition of literature is as broad as "books" then I would say that it's an unequivocal yes, comic books are literature.Witty User Name wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 6:07 pmMainly books, though as I already mentioned there is the ''controversy'' of whether stuff like manga or comics can be defined as ''literature''.
There's nothing wrong with watching shows made for kids (or reading comic books), but hopefully that's not all you watch. I like to mix it up. I like to read classics and schlock, and here's the thing, lots of works that are considered classics in both film and literature are often terrible. I still find the experience valuable, though.
The biggest truths aren't original. The truth is ketchup. It's Jim Belushi. Its job isn't to blow our minds. It's to be within reach.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take - Wayne Gretzky" - Michael Scott
Happiness is climate, not weather.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take - Wayne Gretzky" - Michael Scott
Happiness is climate, not weather.
- Polyphase Avatron
- Born 'n Bred Here
- Posts: 6643
- Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 10:48 am
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
*Resists urge to make a DDLC reference*Witty User Name wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 6:07 pmMainly books, though as I already mentioned there is the ''controversy'' of whether stuff like manga or comics can be defined as ''literature''.
Cool stuff that I upload here because Youtube will copyright claim it: https://vimeo.com/user60967147
- Hellspawn28
- Patreon Supporter
- Posts: 15210
- Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:50 pm
- Location: Maryland, USA
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
When people think of Literature, they think of books that have no pictures in them and have you use your brain to imagine the story in your head. Comics/Manga are just a different medium of literature because they use art to tell a story. When people think of comics, they think of superhero stories, and they consider them to be junk food. Normal books have their fair share of junk food as well as 50 Shades of Grey, Harry Potter, etc.
She/Her
PS5 username: Guyver_Spawn_27
LB Profile: https://letterboxd.com/Hellspawn28/
PS5 username: Guyver_Spawn_27
LB Profile: https://letterboxd.com/Hellspawn28/
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
Dragon Ball is literature. Is it particularly thoughtful literature made in the image of legendary classics from goofy white European men? Eh, I don't really care to put that much effort into things. When I feel passionate about a work I'll sing it's praises but the word 'literature' as I feel like it is being used here is to attribute a written work some sort of elite-status. I guess I just don't really care what the establishment thinks, I like to think for myself rather than parrot the words of demagogues.
She/Her
progesterone princess, estradiol empress
bisexual milf
progesterone princess, estradiol empress
bisexual milf
- ABED
- Namekian Warrior
- Posts: 20286
- Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2013 10:23 am
- Location: Skippack, PA
- Contact:
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
"Literature" much like the word "art" seems to include a value judgment. Literature simply means "writing formed with letters". Literature can be good or bad, just like a piece of art can be good or bad.
The biggest truths aren't original. The truth is ketchup. It's Jim Belushi. Its job isn't to blow our minds. It's to be within reach.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take - Wayne Gretzky" - Michael Scott
Happiness is climate, not weather.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take - Wayne Gretzky" - Michael Scott
Happiness is climate, not weather.
-
- Banned
- Posts: 1834
- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2004 11:51 pm
- Location: US
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
Defining something as "literature" is one thing. Going around calling something "literature" is another. I can't imagine doing the latter with a manga or comic book.
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
It's literature. It's a book. Some books use words to express ideas. Some books use pictures to express ideas. Some books use words and pictures to express ideas!MyVisionity wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 10:58 pm Defining something as "literature" is one thing. Going around calling something "literature" is another. I can't imagine doing the latter with a manga or comic book.
She/Her
progesterone princess, estradiol empress
bisexual milf
progesterone princess, estradiol empress
bisexual milf
- Zeon_Grunt
- Beyond Newbie
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Mon Dec 30, 2019 1:24 pm
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
By the definition of "it's a book," my PG Gundam Exia's building manual would count as "literature."JulieYBM wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 11:27 pmIt's literature. It's a book. Some books use words to express ideas. Some books use pictures to express ideas. Some books use words and pictures to express ideas!MyVisionity wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 10:58 pm Defining something as "literature" is one thing. Going around calling something "literature" is another. I can't imagine doing the latter with a manga or comic book.
-
- Banned
- Posts: 3308
- Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2020 3:12 am
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
I think calling DB literature and reading it alongside other famous works is perfectly acceptable. The idea of comics and manga not being literature probably comes from people who've never read them. These 2 have themes, stories, characters, etc. just as any other form of literature has.
I think it's unfair to call something junk food because it's more simple/different from everything else. You can argue quality, but when it comes to effort, I think most works are on the same level.Hellspawn28 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 7:34 pmWhen people think of comics, they think of superhero stories, and they consider them to be junk food. Normal books have their fair share of junk food as well as 50 Shades of Grey, Harry Potter, etc.
Last edited by Matches Malone on Sat Feb 15, 2020 12:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
Do you read it? Does it express ideas? It's literature. 'Literature' the word doesn't need anybody sucking its cock.Zeon_Grunt wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2020 12:01 amBy the definition of "it's a book," my PG Gundam Exia's building manual would count as "literature."
She/Her
progesterone princess, estradiol empress
bisexual milf
progesterone princess, estradiol empress
bisexual milf
- Hellspawn28
- Patreon Supporter
- Posts: 15210
- Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:50 pm
- Location: Maryland, USA
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
I have dealt with people growing up that comics rot your brain and that they are not real literature. I think more people need to read stuff before bashing on them. I also agree that something being simple is not always a bad thing.Matches Malone wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2020 12:22 am
I think it's unfair to call something junk food because it's more simple/different from everything else. You can argue quality, but when it comes to effort, I think most works are on the same level.
She/Her
PS5 username: Guyver_Spawn_27
LB Profile: https://letterboxd.com/Hellspawn28/
PS5 username: Guyver_Spawn_27
LB Profile: https://letterboxd.com/Hellspawn28/
- Soppa Saia People
- I Live Here
- Posts: 3062
- Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2015 11:26 pm
- Location: Minnesota
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
won't get into the What Is Literature debate but of course it's okay and normal to read/watch something that's typical viewed as low brow entertainment or kids entertainment well also reading/watching that's viewed as high art or very mature. it just means that you like different things. that's fine.
I have borderline personality disorder, if my posts ever come off as aggressive or word vomit-y to you, please let me know.
- Cure Dragon 255
- Born 'n Bred Here
- Posts: 5172
- Joined: Thu May 03, 2012 5:23 pm
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
I am going to take a visit to Project Gutenberg and read some books! Its about time I did!
BTW I have never read the manga.
BTW I have never read the manga.
Spoiler:
- Planetnamek
- Banned
- Posts: 936
- Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2020 3:54 pm
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
I'll fully admit i've never really read any so-called classic literature because I find that old-fashioned style of writing quite tedious to get through(The oldest book I read was "The Jungle" and that was for a class assignment in high school). So definitely give me Manga over that any day of the week.
"Why run away from something you're not afraid of?" - Goku
- Zeon_Grunt
- Beyond Newbie
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Mon Dec 30, 2019 1:24 pm
Re: Dragon Ball and other types of Literature
See, here's the problem, "literature" seems to have 2 meanings here. One is the academic definition that you'll find in most dictionaries and applied by any kind of academic authority ("written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit."), and the one where people with no actual education into literature beyond reading Shakespeare in school to claim that any and all books (read: anything with a front and back cover) are "literature," often ignoring the qualifier that the work be exceptional in quality or merit.JulieYBM wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2020 12:25 amDo you read it? Does it express ideas? It's literature. 'Literature' the word doesn't need anybody sucking its cock.Zeon_Grunt wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2020 12:01 amBy the definition of "it's a book," my PG Gundam Exia's building manual would count as "literature."