Introducing Characters in Manga and other Fiction

[gommyommy]

As a fiction writer, I know how important that first impression is when you introduce a character, and I know how cringeworthy it can be when you read a character introduction that makes you painfully aware that you are reading a character introduction.

Since mangas are usually a quick read, they are a good way to see just how various authors handle

Comments

[total_alias]

Yuukin! <3 That's the best of them all.

You forgot the one where a character's name is very conveniently exclaimed by another character: http://www.mangareader.net/147-9743-9/kaichou-wa-maid-sama/chapter-1.html. It starts at the bottom of the page and moves on to the next one.

Or how about the method of just throwing us into the plot and letting you figure out who the characters are?

[gommyommy]

Oh yes, that's the method most commonly used by Jun Mochizuki to introduce a chain in PH..."Raven!" "Mad Hatter!" "Tove!" Well at least it's better than a shout attack.

I think throwing you into the plot and letting you figure it out is kinda the best, as long as you are not completely lost and confused by it. There's a tricky balance...giving too much info vs. not enough.

[total_alias]

It's better since you don't have to call it every time. I'd much rather have Gil touch Oz's face than hear Oz screaming "B-Rabbit!" all the time.

Hmm, this may be similar to one of your other examples (I really don't know since I couldn't read it) but how about "He who's reputation proceeds him"? http://www.mangareader.net/116-5187-51/full-metal-alchemist/chapter-1.html go on to the next page.

[my7own7will]

This was interesting :D I think two first of the "characters telling other characters facts about themselves that they already know" was a bit dramatic, but I think it still worked. I liked the ones from Hanamatsuri and TRC more though (but the latter one was a bit long XD). I'm fond of how Jun introduces her characters in PH ^-^