劇画
Meanings
gekiga; dramatic pictures
A style of Japanese comics that emerged in the late 1950s, characterized by realistic, often cinematic art and serious, mature storylines aimed at an adult audience. Contrasts with the more cartoonish, child-oriented manga of the time.
Yoshihiro Tatsumi is considered a pioneer of gekiga.
This gekiga realistically depicts the dark side of postwar Japan.
kamishibai; paper theater
Dated term for a form of street storytelling using illustrated boards, popular in the early-to-mid 20th century. Now largely historical, though occasionally revived for educational or nostalgic purposes.
See also: 紙芝居
In the early Showa period, children looked forward to the gekiga of kamishibai.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉を劇画化するto adapt something into gekiga (dramatic comic) form
The novel was later adapted into a gekiga.
- 劇画調の〈物〉something drawn or styled in a gritty, cinematic gekiga manner
His illustrations are known for their gritty, gekiga-style touch.